More and more businesses and individuals are becoming increasingly vulnerable to cyberattacks every day. And this has driven up the need to have cybersecurity experts on the team.

Here’s the twist: despite this increasing need for cybersecurity professionals, finding the right talent to fill these roles is becoming increasingly difficult. In fact, studies revealed that the global cybersecurity workforce gap has increased by 26.2% in 2022, at a talent scarcity of 3.4 million.

Surprising? Not quite so. Here’s what it primarily stems from: almost zero formal education/training programs, a lack of understanding of why cybersecurity is important, and a stereotypical perception of the field as being overly technical and dry.

Even with numerous government-funded programs in action, the UK’s national cyber skills gap soars high, with 51% of all UK-based private firms reporting a dire shortage of basic technical cybersecurity skills.

On that note, this blog explores why it is so hard to find cybersecurity talent, and what you can do to overcome these challenges.

Is Finding Cybersecurity Talent Difficult in 2023?

The answer is simple – Yes it is.

The demand for cybersecurity professionals is skyrocketing, but the pool of qualified candidates is severely failing to keep up, as most organizations struggle to find the right fit. Many are even turning to outsourcing, managed security services, and artificial intelligence and machine learning to address the shortage.

But why is this shortage continuously increasing? Here are a few reasons:

Lack of Diversity

Reports highlight how poorly diverse the global cybersecurity workforce is currently, with only 25% of the staff being female. Cybersecurity is often seen as a “male-dominated” field, leading to the assumption that women and other minorities are not interested in or capable of working in this field. This stereotype can discourage a wide pool of sheer talent from pursuing careers in cybersecurity, further perpetuating the lack of diversity in the industry.

Emphasis on Qualifications

Cybersecurity has always been a complex field that requires a combination of technical and non-technical skills, alongside plenty of specialized knowledge. However, employers today require hires to have multiple qualifications as standard – especially for entry-level positions.

Many people interested in working in cybersecurity are unable to get their foot in the door, as they do not have these specific skills or certifications. Besides, qualifications that once sufficed aren’t much relevant nowadays, while new degrees are constantly being created in sync with latest trends.

Employee Burnout

Burnout is no secret in this fast-paced industry. In fact, as per recent studies, 51% of cybersecurity professionals agree to undergo extreme stress or burnout, 65% have considered leaving their job due to stress, and 73% have left their jobs. Why so? Well, this job requires constant vigilance and attention to detail, which can be exhausting for even the most dedicated employees. 

The threats become more sophisticated, while there’s an ongoing severe shortage of cybersecurity skills. And as the pool of available talent shrinks, the overburdening responsibilities among active staff go higher. It gets worse, as employees fail to upskill as they should, primarily due to excessive workload.

Poor Work-life Balance

The impact of poor work life balance on cybersecurity skill shortage is becoming increasingly apparent. 

With long hours and little time for vacation or family, many cybersecurity professionals are burning out. This leads to a high attrition rate, as experts leave the field in droves. In fact, a report highlighted that 45% of cybersecurity workers are quitting their jobs due to high work-related stress, leading to an unbalanced personal life.

Again, surprised? We’re not.

A Changing Landscape

The complexity of technology systems in large companies has skyrocketed due to the rapid digitization and integration of new partners and ecosystems. This complexity, often caused by legacy systems and multiplied by mergers, has led to higher cyber risks, costs, and devastating attacks that can go undiscovered for months.

Due to the increasing risks, numerous security companies provide solutions aimed at thwarting data breaches. 

However, the rapid proliferation and complexity of new security tools within SAST, RASP, DAST, etc. also create a gap in required skills among their staff. Plus, organizations with 50+ security tools are found to be 8% less effective in preventing threats and 7% less prepared in their defense, compared to those with lesser programs.

Short-term Outlook for Finding Cybersecurity Talent

With overly risen demand and insufficient supply, the short-term outlook for hiring and retaining the right fit for cybersecurity jobs is quite a challenge, to say the least.

• Rise in demand: As the world continues to rely on tech, the need for professionals with the skills and knowledge to protect their systems and data will also grow. This trend is likely to continue as technology continues to evolve and the threat landscape changes constantly.
• Remote cyber talent: Demand for remote cyber talent has skyrocketed, as companies seek individuals with expertise in cybersecurity, cloud computing, data protection, and network administration. This trend is expected to continue as hybrid working becomes more prevalent, alongside companies recognizing the importance of investing in the right talent.
• Assessing qualification: Growing focus on AI, ML cloud security and the Internet of Things (IoT) will require new and different skill sets, making it even more challenging to assess cybersecurity candidates effectively. 
• Salary budgets: Companies with limited salary budgets cannot match the salaries offered by larger competitors, making talent retention more difficult. Many cybersecurity professionals also view salary as a key factor in their job satisfaction, and are more likely to leave, if not compensated fairly. 
• Diversity and industry-based expertise: A diverse team brings unique perspectives and skill sets that allow for a more comprehensive approach to security. Industry-based expertise is also critical, as the threats and vulnerabilities vary greatly between industries.

Reducing the gap in cybersecurity talent requires a multi-faceted approach that includes education within universities, hands-on cyber training, more courses and workshops, and increasing awareness. 

By providing opportunities to gain proper skills and knowledge, organizations can ensure a steady flow of qualified and competent cybersecurity professionals to meet the growing demand. By synchronizing formal education, practical experience, and ongoing training, we can further bridge the cybersecurity talent gap and secure our digital landscapes for generations to come.

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Book a consultation with Stack, and together, let’s plan the best way to help your organization close the skill gap with talent recruitment strategies from our experts.