5 Ways To Solve the Cybersecurity Talent Drought

These days, cybersecurity professionals are in short supply. And most career consultants expect the shortage to continue. Meanwhile, demand to fill these positions is skyrocketing. So how does a company fend off mounting cyberthreats without key personnel? This blog explores the shortage and offers up five ways businesses can bridge the gap.

It’s Not Just You

So there you are needing to fill a cybersecurity position with no even remotely qualified leads in sight. You’re not alone. Demand for these positions is on the rise while ironically, supply is on the decline. Why? Some researchers blame the exclusivity of the field, suggesting cybersecurity education is available to only a select few. Others point to lack of interest in the field, burnout and turnover as potential reasons why skilled cybersecurity professionals are so scarce.

It’s an IoT World

Why the boost in demand? Think about it: Any device that accesses the Internet can potentially fall victim to cyberthreats. City power grids, cars, lightbulbs … the list of devices has grown so much we now have a name for it – the Internet of Things (IoT). Add to that the increasingly popular bring your own device (BYOD) trend and hiring managers are taking matters into their own hands when it comes to meeting the cybersecurity skill set demand.

Here are four ways to solve the cybersecurity staffing dilemma.

1. Look outside traditional talent pools.

Take Kevin Mitnick for example. He was a hacker who ended up on the FBI Most Wanted Fugitives list who now enjoys a successful career as a security consultant, public speaker and author. Now we’re not suggesting you start your own manhunt for hackers looking to switch sides. The lesson here is simply to look outside your traditional talent pool.

2. Put less emphasis on education.

The idea here is similar to tip #1. The less you box yourself into deal-breaking requirements, the more qualified candidates naturally rise to the surface. More and more staffing managers today are willing to trade degrees for experience. While no one doubts the value of a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or a Master’s degree in Information Technology, more companies are also recognizing the value in real-world experience.

3. Educate all staff.

Even the most talented of cybersecurity experts can’t secure your business from threats if the people at the front lines are clicking on malicious emails. In fact, numerous studies have shown large percentages of data breaches and hacks are caused by human error. Protect your business on all fronts with security awareness training so all employees can 1- recognize phishing and social engineering threats and 2- know what to do.

4. Enlist third-party support.

You wouldn’t undertake a plumbing project if you know nothing about plumbing. The same logic applies here. Consider outsourcing your cybersecurity staffing needs to a specialized staffing agency. For example, at Resourcing HQ, we are committed to placing top tech talent with healthcare organizations, financial institutions and other large corporations in need of robust security.

The moral of the story is you can find creative ways to bridge the cybersecurity skill gap. All it takes is time, training and a willingness to try a new approach. Good luck!