?
RICHARD MEEUS,
SECURITY
TECHNOLOGY
AND STRATEGY
DIRECTOR, EMEA
AT AKAMAI
I
f you’re a
cybersecurity
professional,
there’s never
been a time
where your skills
have been more
in demand. As companies are growing
increasingly aware of the threats out
there and the implications of what
could happen if they get breached,
the onus on having a top-notch team
is getting higher on the agenda. While
things are positive for those trying to
find a role, the other side is less so
with demand far outstripping supply.
However, all is not lost and there are
various strategies companies can put
in place to reduce the skills gap facing
the cybersecurity industry.
Firstly, companies need to take a fresh
approach when it comes to attracting
talent, particularly in relation to entry
level positions. The cybersecurity
industry tends to rely on mathematical
skills, requires analysis of defences and
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Issue 23
editor’s question
It’s not just down
to the industry
to reduce the
skills gap, the
government has a
big role to play too.
someone who can think laterally when
penetration testing and has the mindset
to evaluate risk. Looking beyond those
with formal qualifications, many new
recruits that have these skills can
develop the more technical aspects like
coding, ethical hacking and analytics
on the job. qualifications they require for full time
employment, while learning the exact
skills they’ll need with the company
they’re working for. Additionally,
apprentices don’t even need to attend
university or college in person now and
can do courses through online portals,
leaving more time for on-the-job training.
As well as a fresh approach to who you
target, how it’s done is just as important.
Creating innovative methods to attract
people into the process is vital. A
great example is gamification and the
work done by GCHQ’s codebreaking
masterclass. Open to all ages, ethnicities
and genders, it levelled the playing field
for candidates creating an easy entry
level for everyone and boosting the
chance of generating a larger pool of
raw talent – helping to increase diversity
in the process. Finally, it’s not just down to the
industry to reduce the skills gap, the
government has a big role to play too.
From investment in education to
specific initiatives, there are a number
of ways it can help. Fortunately, it has
been doing just that with an overall
National Cyber Security Strategy
launched in 2016 and the £20 million
Cyber Schools Programme.
Another tried and tested way to
reduce the cyberskills gap is through
apprenticeships. Through this
method, fresh talent can study for the
The UK has a long way to go to
eventually plug the skills gap overall, but
there are now lots of ways that we as an
industry, along with the government’s
help, can do that – ensuring the country
is fighting fit in the battle against the
cybercriminals for years to come.
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