Intelligent CISO Issue 66 | Page 75

decrypting myths

Three ways automation can enhance organisational security to overcome the skills shortage

The skills gap is challenging business leaders to find a suitable solution to minimise the issue , however , they must understand that it won ’ t be solved simply by hiring more staff . Cody Cornell , CSO at Swimlane , investigates how automation can be used to ensure robust security in the face of a lack of access to cybersecurity talent . n the race towards

I the Fourth Industrial Revolution , organisations are embracing technologies that enhance connectivity and streamline processes . While rapid digitalisation has helped businesses thrive and stay afloat during a turbulent last few years , it has also opened the door to increased vulnerabilities that malicious actors can exploit .

This increased exposure comes at a time when cybersecurity threats worldwide continue to increase at an alarming rate . According to the latest Blackberry Global Threat Intelligence Report , the number of unique attacks using new malware samples skyrocketed by 50 % from December 2022 to February 2023 , with up to 12 attacks per minute observed . In the UK , where cybersecurity has been identified as a Tier 1 threat alongside terrorism , war and natural disasters , 32 % of businesses have reported a breach or attack during the last 12 months .
In an environment like this , it ’ s clear that cybersecurity must be a significant priority for every business . However , a more significant roadblock stands in the way of an organisation ’ s ability to secure their business – the substantial shortage of cybersecurity skills and talent .
Cybercrime is expected to cost the world US $ 10.5 trillion annually by 2025 and yet for years organisations have struggled to build the specialised skills needed to manage these growing threats .
Recent research from the UK Government found that approximately 51 % of businesses in the country have a ‘ basic ’ cybersecurity skills gap . This has resulted in a lack of confidence to carry out fundamental tasks such as setting up configured firewalls , storing or transferring personal data and detecting and removing malware .
Additionally , 33 % of businesses in the UK are experiencing more advanced cybersecurity skills gaps in areas such as penetration testing , forensic analysis and security architecture , and 37 % of www . intelligentciso . com
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