The recent study by ISC2, a non-profit organization, has highlighted a significant issue in the cybersecurity sector.
According to Security Week, the research, which encompassed feedback from nearly 15,000 cybersecurity practitioners, indicates that the demand for cybersecurity workers is not only surging but is also outstripping supply at an alarming rate. Notably, almost half of the surveyed professionals have experienced cutbacks, including budget reductions, layoffs, and freezes in hiring and promotion.
ISC2 CEO Clar Rosso emphasized the critical need to double the cybersecurity workforce to effectively safeguard organizations and their vital assets. The current threat landscape, described as the most complex and sophisticated to date, highlights the urgency for organizations to invest in both new talent and existing staff. This investment is crucial for equipping teams with the skills necessary to navigate the evolving threat environment.
The Biden administration’s efforts to strengthen the U.S. cybersecurity workforce, through the National Cyber Workforce and Education Strategy, are timely in this context. This strategy, released in July, aims to transform cyber education and expand both the national and federal cyber workforces. The ISC2 report, referenced in the strategy, pointed out that there were 400,000 unfilled cybersecurity jobs in the U.S.
Furthermore, the study revealed that while the global cybersecurity workforce grew by 8.7% to 5.5 million jobs compared to 2022, the gap between demand and supply increased by 12.6% during the same period. Over half of the surveyed professionals reported a staffing shortage at their organizations, and more than 90% acknowledged a skills gap.
ISC2 CEO Clar Rosso said, “While we celebrate the record number of new cybersecurity professionals entering the field, the pressing reality is that we must double this workforce to adequately protect organizations and their critical assets.”
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