Cybersecurity talent shortage leaves half of firms in a bind

TLDR:

Key Points:

• Half of global companies take over six months to find a qualified cybersecurity professional
• Challenges include a mismatch between certification and practical skills, lack of experience, high costs, and competition

According to a recent survey by cybersecurity firm Kaspersky, half of global companies are struggling to hire cybersecurity experts, with nearly half of organizations taking over six months to find a suitable candidate. The study found that the hiring process is hindered by a lack of real-world experience, credentials that do not translate effectively into the workplace, high costs, and fierce global competition. This lengthy recruitment period puts companies at significant risk, with information security roles in particular leaving organizations vulnerable to cyber attacks.

The top challenges for employers in the recruitment process include a disparity between theoretical qualifications and practical skills, lack of experience, high hiring costs, and competitive hiring strategies from other companies. To combat the shortage of cybersecurity staff, Kaspersky experts recommended adopting managed security services for additional expertise without increasing headcount, regular staff education on current cyber risks, investment in employee training, and the use of centralized and automated solutions to relieve the burden on IT security teams and minimize the risk of errors.