Cybersecurity is an advancing and constantly evolving industry which is expected to be worth $376.32 billion by 2029. Despite anticipated growth, the recent (ISC)² Cybersecurity Workforce Study revealed that the cybersecurity skills shortage is close to 3 million globally.
The industry is lacking a dynamic workforce that matches the nature of its innovation. As cyberattacks continue to increase in frequency and sophistication, there is a greater global demand to diversify the cybersecurity talent pool to tackle emerging threats.
One of the key factors contributing towards the skills shortage is a lack of young professionals entering the industry. The challenge is to realign how young people think about careers in cybersecurity by improving industry attainability.
Redefining Perceptions
Attracting and retaining young talent has the potential to solve the challenge of the ever-growing cybersecurity skills gap, however not enough young people are considering a career in the industry.
Typically, the perception of a cybersecurity professional is considered to be synonymous with highly specialised technical roles. Too many young people are deterred from starting a career in cybersecurity because they are intimidated by the belief that they need to either possess highly advanced analytical abilities or it will take them too long to establish themselves within the industry.
Cybersecurity roles need to be more accessible to young professionals. This requires putting greater emphasis on the benefits of working in an evolving industry and providing a clear path of entry for young people interested in starting a career in cybersecurity.
Solving the Cyber Skills Gap
Job opportunities are rapidly rising in cybersecurity as the industry struggles to fill emerging positions. Organisations can help close the cybersecurity skills gap by modernising the recruitment process and recognising the value of cybersecurity certifications.
Driving Diversity – Cybersecurity is not just about having the right IT capabilities. Today’s cybersecurity roles are increasingly specialised across different organisations and industries.
Organisations need to move away from relying on experience and the traditional skillset associated with cybersecurity and focus on pursuing a mix of creativity, self-motivation, and analytical skills. They need to be open to young professionals from both technical and non-technical backgrounds to leverage a full spectrum of talents to effectively fight evolving cyber threats.
Empowerment through Education – Starting a career within cybersecurity can be intimidating. Young professionals need dedicated outlets to achieve the required knowledge and qualifications for building a rewarding career.
Access to cybersecurity certifications provides young professionals with an industry recognised point of entry into the cybersecurity space. Certifications enable individuals to refine their knowledge, skills, and abilities to set solid foundations for a successful future career.
Young People are the Future
There is still a long way to go in addressing the global shortage of young professionals in the cybersecurity industry. By making crucial changes to attract and retain new talent, organisations can create dynamic and diverse security teams that are ready to tackle whatever future threats are thrown at them.