Over 80% of IT Leaders Admit Security Skills Crisis
July 30, 2016
Seid Yassin (557 articles)
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Over 80% of IT Leaders Admit Security Skills Crisis

A major cybersecurity skills shortage across key global markets is putting organizations directly at risk of attack, according to new Intel Security research.

The security giant teamed up with research institution the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) to interview over 700 IT decision makers in the US, UK, Australia, France, Germany, Japan, Mexico and Israel.

It found 82% of respondents admitting a skills shortage, with 71% claiming that this lack of trained information security professionals has directly led to damage to the organization as it’s become a bigger target for hackers.

“A shortage of people with cybersecurity skills results in direct damage to companies, including the loss of proprietary data and IP,” said James Lewis, senior vice president at CSIS. “This is a global problem; a majority of respondents in all countries surveyed could link their workforce shortage to damage to their organization.”

The research claimed countries and industries which spend more on cybersecurity are better placed to deal with the skills crisis, although training, growth opportunities and the reputation of the IT department can also attract the best talent.

Over half of respondents believe the skills problem in cybersecurity is worse than in other IT professions, with only 23% claiming current education programs are preparing students to enter the industry.

There’s no sign of the situation getting better anytime soon, with respondents predicting an average of 15% of cybersecurity positions in their company will go unfilled by 2020.

In fact, in the UK things could get a lot worse with the predicted fallout from Brexit being that it becomes harder and less desirable for EU nationals to live and work across the Channel.

Immigration lawyer and partner at MediVisas, Victoria Sharkey, told Infosecurity recently that the EU referendum result is already having an impact.

“I am already seeing EU nationals who have been here for years make plans to leave and either go home or go to another EU country. They are worried for their jobs, are worried that they will be told to leave and so would rather leave on their own terms, and they are also being made to feel unwelcome,” she explained.

“I feel that when we do leave that it is going to become significantly harder for UK employers to encourage the best in their industry to come and work in the UK.”

There could also be less money from the government for training and education programs in cybersecurity going forward as the country plunges into likely recession.

More than three-quarters (76%) of respondents to the Intel Security study said their governments aren’t investing enough to grow cybersecurity talent.

Source | infosecurity-magazine