Better training programs may ease cybersecurity talent shortages

Dive Brief:

The U.S. continues to face serious shortages of cybersecurity talent, with a projected 1.8 million qualified pros needed by the year 2022, according to the Center for Cyber Safety and Education’s 2017 Global Information Security Workforce study.
David Shearer, CEO of (ISC)2 Inc., a nonprofit information security certification organization, t old CSO that there needs to be support for education on cybersecurity topics in schools to prepare people for the workplace.
Government sponsored training in cybersecurity is in the works. At the start of 2017, the Department of Defense launched a six month boot camp at Wright Junior College in Chicago.

Dive Insight:

With the dramatic rise of internet connectivity in a variety of objects (also known as Internet of Things or IoT), the need for well-trained cybersecurity candidates is critical. There are several pathways to cybersecurity training, and many candidates have taken it upon themselves to participate in boot camps, online courses, college classes, weekend workshops and more to gain these skills.

With the proliferation of such opportunities, employees have the ability to ramp-up their skills fast. This is a win-win for employers who are desperate for such talent. However, for these gaps to truly close, employers may need to team up with educators and schools to ensure kids are aware of the jobs from an early age.

Overall, tech skill gaps continue to increase, especially as technology transforms faster than recruiters can gather skilled personnel. Strong in-house training programs focused on upskilling will remain essential in this new environment.