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Cybersecurity Skills Crisis Worsens for Fourth Year in a Row, Impacting 70% of OrganizationsThe cybersecurity skills crisis continues to worsen for the fourth year in a row and has impacted nearly three quarters (70 percent) of organizations, as revealed today in the fourth annual global study of cybersecurity professionals by the Information Systems Security Association (ISSA) and independent industry analyst firm Enterprise Strategy Group (News - Alert) (ESG). The top ramifications of the skills shortage for organizations (or cybersecurity teams) include an increasing workload, unfilled open job requisitions, and an inability to learn or use cybersecurity technologies to their full potential, putting organizations at significant risk. The cybersecurity skills gap discussion has been going on for nearly 10 years. The study confirms that there has been no significant progress towards a solution to this problem during the four years it has been closely researched. In fact, 45 percent of respondents state the cybersecurity skills shortage and its associated impacts have only gotten worse over the past few years. The question that must be answered is then: Why has nothing changed for the better? ISSA and ESG believe that the root cause has never been addressed. What's needed is a holistic approach of continuous cybersecurity education, where each stakeholder needs to play a role versus operating in silos. The data uncovered in this research year over year point to these indicators: Cybersecurity professionals need a comprehensive globally accepted career development plan Without guidance and a clear path to follow, it is difficult for new candidates to know what is needed and how to acquire the skills necessary to enter the profession. Current professionals are far too often left figuring out how to advance their careers on their own. The ESG/ISSA research reinforces these points as:
Businesses are not investing in their people or supporting cybersecurity integration within the organization Sixty-four percent of respondents believe their organization should be doing somewhat or a lot more to address cybersecurity challenges. EG and ISSA believe that business executives see this as a technical problem rather than a business issue.
Other critical constituencies were also rated on their ability to keep up with cybersecurity challenges and the data indicates that industry and community at large need to step up: For example, 68 percent of respondents believe that cybersecurity technology and service vendors should be doing somewhat or a lot more and 71 percent of respondents believe the cybersecurity community at large should be doing somewhat or a lot more. "The cybersecurity gap cannot be addressed by simply filling the pipeline with new people. What's needed is a holistic approach, starting with public education, comprehensive career development and planning, and career mapping - all with the support and integration with the business," said Candy Alexander, Board President, ISSA International. "As this and past reports clearly indicate, key constituents are not looking at the profession strategically. While we are making some fragmented progress, the same issues present themselves year after year, including a shortage of skills, under-trained employees, and the stress and strain caused by a career in the cybersecurity field. These disturbing trends should be of concern to corporate directors and business executives, particularly in light of the alarming findings this year that 67% of respondents believe that cyber-adversaries have a big advantage over cyber-defenders," said Jon Oltsik, Senior Principal Analyst and ESG Fellow. Downloads
About ISSA The Information Systems Security Association (ISSA)™ is the community of choice for international cyber security professionals dedicated to advancing individual growth, managing technology risk, and protecting critical information and infrastructure. ISSA members and award winners include many of the industry's notable luminaries and represent a broad range of industries - from communications, education, healthcare, manufacturing, financial and consulting to IT - as well as federal, state and local government departments and agencies. Through regional chapter meetings, conferences, networking events and content, members tap into a wealth of shared knowledge and expertise. Follow us on Twitter (News - Alert) at @ISSAINTL. Learn more about ISSA. About ESG Enterprise Strategy Group (ESG) is an integrated technology analyst, research, and strategy firm providing market intelligence and actionable insight to the global technology community. ESG is increasingly recognized as one of the world's leading and most influential independent analyst firms. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200730005643/en/ |