FEATURE
there were noticeable increases in job approval across the board , with an upward trend in satisfaction around role and responsibilities ( 96 %), salary ( 87 %) and work / life balance ( 77 %).
When asked what else they enjoyed about their jobs , respondents listed working in an environment with professional growth ( 15 %) as well as opportunities to challenge oneself ( 21 %) as top motivators . Just over half ( 53 %) reported jobs that are either stressful or very stressful , which is down from last year ( 62 %). Interestingly , despite being among those that are generally threatened by automation software , 100 % of respondents aged 18 – 24 reported feeling secure in their roles and were happiest with their salaries ( 93 %).
Though the number of female respondents increased in 2020 , it remains to be seen whether this will emerge as a trend .
Samantha Humphries , Senior Security Strategist at Exabeam , discusses the future of the cybersecurity landscape in more detail and what it might look like in 2021 .
How would you describe the current state of cybersecurity and how do you predict this will differ over the next five years ?
On the list of things that are worrying me right now is hearing about organisations making cuts to their cybersecurity teams because of COVID . Granted , it ’ s been a really tough time financially for most organisations , and frankly I ’ m biased , but for me this should be the last area to make cuts .
Unfortunately , cybersecurity is still often seen as a cost centre , which is a problem . Cybersecurity is an enabler for the business , an enabler for the employees , and by extension an enabler for the customers . However , if there isn ’ t the support from the executives in the business , the idea of it being a cost centre will be hard to detach . One of the hardest things to get across is the value that cybersecurity brings to the organisation . Some C-suites really get it , others don ’ t . Unfortunately , by the time they realise the importance , it ’ s too late .
I ’ ve seen too many times that once the dust has settled after an incident , the security team is actually glad it ’ s happened because they now have the proof of their value to business operations . That ’ s a sad state of affairs .
Compared to five years ago , I definitely see cybersecurity being more on the board agenda now which is great . I think and hope that in the next five years , it will be on every board ’ s agenda – because it will need to be . We are seeing more cyberattacks than ever before , with more breadth of organisations being hit . This will help to improve the state of cybersecurity , but unfortunately the journey will be painful for many organisations , particularly for those who are not already prioritising cybersecurity in the way they should be .
What are some of the overall cybersecurity threats you expect to take place in the near future and how will this affect employment ?
I don ’ t think ransomware is going anywhere soon . We will continue to see strains of ransomware evolve and ransomware as a distraction become more and more commonplace . Unfortunately , it ’ s something that works really well for cybercriminals – too well .
Automation really is there to help accuracy , efficiency and improve working conditions for employees .
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