Can you take advantage of the cyber security skills gap?

Over the last year or so, cyber security has rarely been out of the news. The scale and frequency of attacks by hackers has increased markedly and some of their targets indicate that even the biggest and most technically-adept companies may be vulnerable.

For example, Apple was recently the target of a ransomware scheme launched through one of its key suppliers Quanta, when the ransomware group REvil demanded $50 million to prevent the disclosure of stolen intellectual property relating to upcoming products.

Elsewhere, the much-publicised SolarWinds hack showed how widespread third-party attacks can be, affecting over 150 US government agencies in addition to many Fortune 500 firms, universities and healthcare facilities. And the Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack highlighted some of the real-world damage that can be done through cyber breaches, as panic buying led to fuel shortages in much of the US after the attack shut down a major pipeline.

The roles businesses need

In the Colonial Pipeline case, the company may have been well aware of where its weaknesses lay, as just weeks before the attack, it had advertised a job opening for a cyber security manager. It said it was looking for someone with "an understanding of emerging security threats in order to design security policies and procedures to mitigate threats where possible".

This is a need many companies will be familiar with, as a lack of cyber security skills continues to be a major challenge for organisations large and small. This means those looking for careers in cyber security will have many options to choose from.

For instance, research by training provider (ISC)2 highlighted several roles that are often understaffed in many businesses. These include:

• Security operations
• Security administration
• Risk management
• Penetration testing

Meanwhile, projections from the US forecast that 'information security analyst' will be the tenth fastest growing occupation across all industries over the next decade, with an employment growth rate of 31 per cent compared to the overall average of four per cent.

Seeking long-term solutions

Individuals with proven skills and experience in these sectors may be especially well-placed to take advantage of these gaps. There's never been a better time for security professionals to look for what cyber security job vacancies are available, and they may often find that, with organisations fighting to attract the best personnel, they are in a good place to increase their salary or find a position with generous benefits.

In the short term, many firms may turn to consultants specialising in areas such as security architecture to help protect their systems - and accept the high salary costs that these experts can command. 

However, longer-term investments into education, training and upskilling will be essential in closing the cyber security skills gap, which (ISC)2 chief executive Clar Rosso suggested is set to grow by between 20 and 30 per cent over the next few years.

While organisations look to invest in programs to help upskill staff and make better use of the resources they have, those who have the ability to not only build and maintain IT security systems, but also help organisations plan and develop for years to come, will certainly be in the highest demand.

Check out our latest cyber security jobs today to find positions that match your skills and experience.