It’s no secret that the cyber security field is dealing with a lack of qualified candidates. In fact, it’s been reported that there are over 4 million unfilled positions due to candidates lacking the necessary skills to succeed in the roles. But what’s behind this shocking shortage, and what’s being done to address it?
This article is intended to break down the cyber security skills shortage, from its root causes to its potential solutions.
Cybersecurity Education and Courses are Lacking
It’s impossible to pinpoint one issue as the driving force behind the cybersecurity skills shortage. But if you were absolutely forced to identify one of the leading causes, the lack of effective education in the field lands at the top of the list.
An article posted by Forbes on the matter states that, “Of the top 50 computer science programs in the U.S., only 42% offer three or more information security-specific courses for undergraduates.” It’s been a slow and painstaking process for the educational system to catch up to the technological advances in our world, and the cybersecurity industry is now facing the ramifications.
Luckily, this problem has been identified, and is being addressed. The National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education states it’s mission is to, “Energize and promote a robust network and an ecosystem of cybersecurity education, training, and workforce development.” While it may take some time for measures such as this to have an impact, we can at least identify movement in the right direction.
Cybersecurity Can Feel Like a Thankless Job
The work done by IT and cybersecurity experts is crucial to the success and safety of an organization. Yet these experts don’t always receive the credit they’re due. Think about your own workspace. Is anyone mentioning the cybersecurity team when things are going smoothly, or do you only hear about that team when something goes wrong? We have a feeling it’s the latter.
We’re all human, and we all like to receive credit (and maybe even a bit of praise) for our hard work. Keep this in mind the next time you’re chatting with a member of your IT team.
The Younger Generation Isn’t Overly Interested in Cybersecurity
The younger generations, specifically the millenials, are often considered to be a very tech savvy demographic. While this is in many ways true, they aren’t as interested in cybersecurity as they are in other areas of the internet.
An article by Varonis highlighted a recent survey of millenials in which, “Only 9 percent showed interest in a cybersecurity career.” This is a disheartening statistic when considering how the future of our world is increasingly online.
A possible solution to the disinterest of millennials comes in the form of improved educational courses. Ideally, the improvements in educational opportunities will inspire younger people to take on a challenge that makes a legitimate impact on companies and individuals in the 21st century.
The cybersecurity skills shortage is not exactly a new problem. The constant evolution of cyberthreats have made it difficult for experts to keep pace with the challenges, and have even turned off the younger generation from entering the field.
The good news? Efforts are being made to resolve the problem.