The Urgent Need for Cyber Security Talent in the UK
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There is a new threat to cybersecurity in the UK….recruitment.
We wrote recently about how cybersecurity is one of the greatest threats to business, and the right talent is vital to preparing your workplace for a digital future. But studies have revealed that there is an urgent shortage of talented cybersecurity professionals in the UK, those needed to address current threats and protect organsations as they progress into the digital future.
According to a government Security Breaches Survey released in 2014, a staggering 81% of large companies had reported some form of a security breach. These breaches reportedly cost each organisation between £600,000 and £1.5 million on average. This number is rising, too, and the attacks are becoming more costly and complex.
In ISACA’s 2015 Global Cybersecurity Status Report, a global survey of 3,439 business and IT professionals released in January, it was revealed that a huge 86% of those surveyed said that there was a shortage of cybersecurity professionals to deal with the new threats. 34% said that while they plan to hire cybersecurity professionals this year and next, they expect it to be difficult to find the right talent. The demand for cybersecurity talent is clearly far outreaching the talent pool:
“We don’t have enough expertise in the right places now. We often frame cybersecurity as a technology problem. It is a human problem.”
Peter W. Singer, Co-Author “Cybersecurity and Cyberwar
The ISACA report cited a lack of awareness as a leading reason for the lack of people upskilling or pursuing a career in cybersecurity. It’s difficult for young people to see a career path into cybersecurity due to an absence of industry-appropriate education in universities. Government has recognised the gap, and is making steps to recognise and encourage cybersecurity talent at a young age, but the effects on the industry won’t be felt in time to feal with the threat we face today.
“Universities are failing to bridge the gap between computer science and cybersecurity and there are many difficulties when it comes to training people in the field”
We need to see university programmes and apprenticeships that equip our young people with the specific specialist skills required to deal with the cyber threats of our time and the future. Courses should be offered in partnership with a cybersecurity firm, to give students real-life, hand-on experience. They should also foster agility and independent thinking to produce candidates with the skills to adapt to ever-changing threats.
“it can take as long as six months to find the right person for a role in the cybersecurity sector.”
In the meantime, though, we can help.
The cybersecurity talent pool is limited, but luckily we have privileged access to the best talent in the UK. We can help you cut straight to the most experienced niche large tech professionals and recruit those with the proven skills you need to keep safe. Talk to one of our consultants today!
