The cybersecurity talent gap persists, with around 3.5 million unfilled positions globally.
In today’s digital age, where technology permeates every aspect of our lives, cybersecurity has become paramount. As our reliance on digital infrastructure grows, so too does the threats, with cybercriminals becoming increasingly sophisticated in their tactics. In this landscape, the demand for cybersecurity professionals has never been higher, yet the supply of talent continues to fall short. Between this challenge lies the looming threat of AI, promising both solutions and complications in equal measure.
At Concept, we recognise the critical importance of cybersecurity in safeguarding businesses, governments, and individuals from cyber threats. We understand the urgent need to address the talent shortage in this field. Despite its undeniable importance, cybersecurity often finds itself relegated to the side lines in the corporate world.
Cybersecurity: a C-level priority for organisations
The threat of cybersecurity hackers is not merely the number of hackers, but the lack of professionals equipped to stop them. As cyber-attacks grow in frequency and complexity, organisations are increasingly recognising the need for skilled professionals who can anticipate, detect, and respond to threats effectively. This recognition has led to a growing demand for cybersecurity expertise at all levels within a business, as we witness a shift as firms begin to prioritise cybersecurity in the boardroom by elevating roles to C-suite positions.
Despite this demand, there remains a global shortage of cybersecurity talent. With an estimated 3.5 million cybersecurity experts needed worldwide, the gap between supply and demand continues to widen. This shortage poses a significant risk to businesses, leaving critical infrastructure and sensitive data vulnerable to exploitation.
“Criminals need ever fewer skills and organisational power to launch a highly effective attack, and that is going to be a huge problem for us”
However, amidst this challenge lies an opportunity for tech professionals to make a difference – an exciting and challenging opportunity to be at the forefront of protecting the digital world. From ethical hackers and threat analysts to cybersecurity engineers and incident responders, there are a myriad of roles available.
As we navigate the complexities of the digital landscape, the role of AI cannot be overlooked. While AI holds the promise of enhancing cybersecurity defences through automation and predictive analytics, it also presents new challenges. The rise of AI-powered cyber-attacks poses a unique threat that requires cybersecurity professionals to adapt and evolve their skill sets. AI-led attacks mean that the cybersecurity sector is in for “a bumpy ride for the next two to three years”, according to GlobalData’s new cybersecurity report.
The Talent Shortage
Experts predict that the cybersecurity market is set to be worth $290bn by 2027, but highlights that concerns around AI’s potential – both for cybersecurity and cybercrime – are significantly impacting the market. Businesses looking to adapt to new threats have faced an additional challenge: the talent shortage. The cybersecurity talent shortage is a pressing issue that requires collective action from industry leaders, educational institutions, and government bodies. The International Information System Security Certification Consortium (ISC2) reported, in October 2023, that the workforce gap reached four million, a nine percent increase from 2022. GlobalData’s new cybersecurity report also notes that in 2024, cyber investments will comprise 14% of total IT, operational technology and automation budgets, up from 11% in 2023. By prioritising cybersecurity in the boardroom, investing in training and education, and fostering innovation in the field, we can bridge the gap between supply and demand.
How Concept can help
With 71% of organisations globally having unfilled cybersecurity positions and 95% of cyber leaders finding that greater effort should be dedicated to talent acquisition into the cybersecurity workforce, Concept are committed to tackling these figures. We connect talented individuals with organisations seeking to strengthen their cybersecurity defences. As a trusted talent partner to multiple organisations including government bodies, we blend data-driven techniques with a human-centric approach. We help our partners secure their most precious digital assets with industry-leading security experts. From Information Architects and Security Analysts to Penetration Testers, we ensure that your business remains a step ahead in the ever-evolving cyber landscape.
Find out more about our Information & Cyber Security recruitment below.