Information technology managers in today’s workplace are finding it difficult to protect their networks as a lack of cybersecurity expertise is leaving companies open to attack.
A report by Intel Security, “Hacking the Skills Shortage,” interviewed 775 IT decision makers involved in cybersecurity at their organization or business. The study points out that 82 percent of the participants reported a lack of cybersecurity skills at their workplace. One in three said the shortage makes them prime hacking targets, and one in four said it has led to reputational damage and the loss of proprietary data via cyberattack.
A Lack of Cybersecurity Skills in the Workplace
The report is based on research from tech market research firm Vanson Bourne. Respondents represented the U.S., U.K., France, Germany, Australia, Japan, Mexico, and Israel.
Other findings:
- More than three out of four (76 percent) respondents believe their government is not investing enough in cybersecurity talent.
- High-value skills are in critically short supply, and the most scarce being intrusion detection, secure software development, and attack mitigation. These skills are in greater demand than soft skills in communication and collaboration.
- A majority of respondents (53 percent) said that the cybersecurity skills shortage is worse than talent deficits in other IT professions.
- Respondents ranked hands-on experience and professional certifications as better ways to acquire cybersecurity skills than a degree.
- Countries can change this shortfall in critical cybersecurity skills by increasing government expenditure on education, promoting gaming and technology exercises, and pushing for more cybersecurity programs in higher education.
Enhance Your Cybersecurity Skills at UVM
Learn more about UVM’s Cybersecurity Fundamentals Professional Certificate, an eight-week online program that prepares leaders and managers for how to remediate breaches and find sustainable solutions.
