Fixing The Cybersecurity Staff Shortage

President & Chief Executive Officer, Netsfere.

Cybersecurity and IT job positions are growing in demand faster than companies can hire. With cybersecurity being an essential part of any enterprise that carries valuable, private data and information, finding and retaining this kind of specialty talent is critical.

Unfortunately, a massive staffing shortage is plaguing the industry, particularly due to rapidly changing job requirements and qualifications spurred on by businesses having an increasing need for secure systems and processes. Multiple reports this year show an all-time high demand for information technology security analysts or cybersecurity positions with an estimated 700,000 open positions in the cybersecurity job market.

Every industry holding consumer data, including medical and financial, has a responsibility to protect consumer information and keep it private. Each day hackers pose a threat to our data and the control of our systems. Protection can be ensured when full end-to-end encryption efforts are deployed—the gold standard of protection.

A staff shortage as big as this causes an influx of real-life consequences in the workplace. For instance, where there aren’t enough cybersecurity experts on staff, there is an inability to remain aware of all active threats against a network. When there is not enough time for proper risk assessment and management, oversights can happen.

Recognizing the necessity of cybersecurity investments and the swelling staff shortage, the U.S. government is taking steps to help put an end to the shortage and build strong walls against cyber threats.

The Biden-Harris administration announced funding for a first-ever state and local cybersecurity grant program in an effort to equip state and local agencies with the tools necessary to protect against the threats their communities face. Furthermore, the administration is also making sure private sectors and entities are putting up their best defenses when it comes to cyber-attacks. Entities such as hospitals, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and more have or will receive updated regulations and upgrades to improve their systems and processes.

In addition to the government’s action, there are several ways businesses can lessen the IT labor shortage:

• Recruit overseas to accommodate the demand. With a national average salary beginning with six figures, it’s not a bad industry to be in. Employers want to turn the bright minds of the younger generations into their team members working to protect against hackers, not become them.

• Offer additional training for employees to acquire the desired certifications and skills. Some of the most sought-after certifications are ISACA CSX Cybersecurity Fundamentals, MTA security fundamentals and CompTIA Security+. Offering or allowing access to these skills helps you develop and create talent.

• Work with high schools and universities to get more young professionals educated and into the workforce sooner. A continued focus on internships, student hires and mentorship programs will help feed the industry with eager new talent that employers need. In conjunction with this, over the summer, the White House announced a 120-day apprenticeship program to help provide guidance in cyber jobs.

The fact remains that cybersecurity is a real threat that is not going away anytime soon, particularly with the recent events and growing threats from organized and state-sponsored cybercrime. It is imperative that we remain diligent and proactive in our efforts to build the best defense teams possible to protect our sensitive and valuable data.

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