The cybersecurity talent shortage

To add to the problem, there is an extreme shortage of cybersecurity professionals to help organizations defend themselves. According to a 2019 Cybercrime Magazine article, "there will be 3.5 million unfilled cybersecurity jobs globally by 2021, up from one million positions in 2014." (Morgan, Cybersecurity Talent Crunch To Create 3.5 Million Unfilled Jobs Globally by 2021, 2019). To add to the challenge, even when an organization hires a cybersecurity analyst, they don't stay in their role for long. According to the National Cybersecurity Training Academy, "The typical tenure for an IT Security Specialist is less than 1 year." (National Cybersecurity Training Center, 2021). If we are to meet the cybersecurity challenges of the future, we need to attract and train talent to fill these positions at an unprecedented level.

While the talent shortage remains a major problem, cybersecurity challenges are becoming a board-level conversation for most organizations. The news cycle continues to raise awareness of cyber threats. However, while major attacks against large companies grab headlines, little is done to communicate the scope and breadth of the problem to the average person. For every data breach or ransomware attack that makes headlines, hundreds go unnoticed. Worse yet, many attacks by truly sophisticated attackers may never be detected. The future of information security as a discipline is dependent on the ability to attract and retain new cybersecurity professionals. It is important for current professionals to be ambassadors to the next generation. There are few career paths with more opportunities or better job prospects. If you are considering a career in cybersecurity, please join us. We need you.