The global demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals has reached extreme levels, fueled by the increasing frequency and sophistication of cyberattacks. However, organizations across industries are struggling to fill critical security roles, leaving them vulnerable to the escalating threats.
Today’s post will take a closer look at some of the root causes of this cybersecurity talent shortage and explore actionable strategies for bridging the gap and protecting our technology.
What’s Going on in the Cybersecurity Job Market?
The need for expert cybersecurity professionals is huge in the US and throughout the world:
- From 2022 to 2023, there were over 663,000 cybersecurity job openings in the US.
- The global shortage of cybersecurity professionals has reached roughly $4 million.
Meanwhile, however, companies don’t feel that they have access to the talent they need to fill these positions, as reported by the World Economic Forum:
- Sixty-seven percent of organizations say they have a moderate-to-critical cybersecurity skills gap on their team.
- Only 14% of organizations believe they have the right people and skills to meet their cybersecurity needs.
So what exactly is going on to create this cybersecurity talent shortage, and how can we improve these numbers?
Why Is There a Cybersecurity Talent Shortage?
Let’s start by taking a look at what’s fueling the talent shortage.
One of the core issues is the huge demand for highly technical, highly specific cybersecurity. Technology use in businesses is increasing, tools are becoming more complex, and hackers are getting better at what they do. All of this means that organizations need stronger cybersecurity than ever, but it also means it’s harder than ever to achieve that.
In an attempt to fill this need, many employers make long lists of skills, certifications, and experience requirements for potential hires that many believe to be unrealistic. This deters many candidates who could develop these skills on the job or contribute meaningfully to a team from applying. And when they do apply, they often don’t hear back from employers.
The situation for those already working in the industry isn’t much better. Burnout and poor retention are common—cybersecurity professionals feel overwhelmed and overworked because their job is getting increasingly complicated and their employers are expecting more. But they’re not getting any additional personnel to help, and they have little time to develop additional skills.
This creates a vicious cycle where overwhelmed cybersecurity team members don’t feel they can keep up with evolving tech, causing them to leave the company or the industry. Their absence increases the cybersecurity talent shortage and the pressure workload for everyone else, bringing teams right back to the same issue of burnout and limited personnel.
What Can We Do About It?
There’s no one, clear solution to filling the cybersecurity talent shortage, but there are some things employers, cybersecurity professionals, teachers, and everyone in the business world can do to help.
Spread Awareness
Increasing awareness about the future of cybersecurity and the growing talent shortage is crucial. By educating businesses, academic institutions, and aspiring professionals about the evolving needs of the industry, we can encourage proactive efforts to develop skills, create training programs, and inspire more individuals to pursue careers in cybersecurity.
Focus on Skills
One of the main issues of the cybersecurity talent shortage is that professionals don’t have all of the necessary skills needed (or at least that employers want them to have). Taking a skills-first approach to education, hiring, and on-the-job training can be a comprehensive, long-term solution to the current crises.
Schools and training courses can center their curriculum around relevant skills and experiential projects. Hiring teams can look for skills (rather than only degrees) in potential hires, which widens their hiring pool and allows more people from different backgrounds and industries to get involved.
Those already working in the industry can focus on developing new hard skills that will benefit their specific company. Employers can offer on-the-job training for new and existing hires and provide resources for building skills while working, instead of searching only for candidates who already have every desired skill.
Stay Open to Scaling & New Initiatives
Discussing success stories and identifying scalable strategies are critical steps in addressing the cybersecurity talent shortage. By analyzing proven initiatives—such as Ireland’s recent strategies to rectify the shortage—organizations can replicate these efforts across different regions or industries to broaden their impact.
Take Care of Existing Staff
Taking care of current cybersecurity staff is key to tackling the talent shortage and ensuring long-term success. Employers should prioritize in-house training to help team members expand their skills and stay engaged, as well as provide sufficient time off to prevent burnout and keep teams motivated and productive.
Teams can also automate routine tasks, freeing up time for higher-value work. Similarly, job rotation programs encourage growth and satisfaction and reduce burnout by exposing employees to varied roles. This investment in staff well-being and growth can help limit turnover, boost morale, and build a stronger, more sustainable cybersecurity workforce.
Stay On Top of Your Cybersecurity with AIS
The rise of cyber threats and the resulting cybersecurity talent shortage are concerning, but they don’t mean that your business has to stay vulnerable. At AIS, we’re committed to providing comprehensive, effective cybersecurity—no matter what comes. Our team is constantly striving to learn and improve so we can offer reliable protection for your systems.
Schedule a meeting with one of our techs to evaluate your cybersecurity and see how we can help.