industry unlocked
POLL REVEALS APPRENTICESHIPS ARE THE ANSWER TO CYBERSECURITY ’ S TALENT PIPELINE PROBLEM
The cyberskills gap has been an ongoing issue in the cybersecurity realm for some time , but education could be the silver bullet to closing the gap . We hear from a number of security professionals who explain why a holistic approach integrating early engagement and education opportunities is pivotal .
pprenticeships
A are the solution to attracting more young people into cybersecurity , according to 42.5 % of respondents to a new Twitter poll run by Infosecurity Europe , Europe ’ s number one information security event . The poll set out to explore current issues around the skills shortage within the sector , particularly within the context of the pandemic . Responses also highlight the importance of proper support for remote workers – with more than a third ( 37.2 %) believing that sustaining motivation and well-being is the greatest skills-related challenge faced by cybersecurity professionals right now .
The Information Security sector continues to suffer from a shortage of skilled professionals , with more than three million unfilled roles worldwide , according to ( ISC ) 2 ’ s 2020 Cybersecurity
Workforce Study . Despite this , 35.9 % of the respondents to Infosecurity Europe ’ s poll say their organisation currently has a hiring freeze on cybersecurity roles .
Attracting young people into the profession
Maxine Holt , Senior Research Director at Omdia , has a first-hand understanding of the benefits apprenticeships bring , by combining knowledge with experience . “ After doing my BTEC in computer studies I got an apprenticeship , learning on the job while studying part-time for my degree ,” Holt said . “ I also got to work in other parts of the business , which really helped me understand how they interacted with IT .”
“ We can definitely do more to open up apprenticeships or internships that encourage people to see if Information Security is for them ,” said Steve Wright , CISO of Privacy Culture and Former
Interim DPO Bank of England . “ But as a permanent measure , we ’ ve got to look at what ’ s going to attract people at the right age . I think more could be done to make it part of the school curriculum .”
Amar Singh , CEO / CISO of Cyber Management Alliance , agreed that the
Maxine Holt , Senior Research Director at Omdia
44 www . intelligentciso . com