3 ways automation can enhance organizational security to overcome the cybersecurity skills shortage
In the race towards the Fourth Industrial Revolution, organizations are embracing technologies that enhance connectivity and streamline processes. While rapid digitalization 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 percent 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 percent of businesses have reported a breach or attack during the last 12 months.
Five ways your business can bridge the cybersecurity skills gaps to find and keep top talent
We hear a lot about the cybersecurity skills gap, which the latest research puts at 3.4 million globally. There are lots of reasons why organizations find themselves dealing with a skills deficit -- from an actual dearth of qualified talent to internal factors including turnover, lack of budget/competitive wages, limited opportunities for growth and promotion, and lack of training.
One aspect that is within a company’s control, but is often unremarked, is unrealistic hiring practices. While this can be a problem across all sectors -- after all, every business wants to be sure they get highly experienced people on board -- there seems to be a particular issue around cybersecurity hiring.
Bridging the digital skills gap with new tech investment
According to the CBI, UK job vacancies are reaching record highs, currently at 147 percent of the February 2020 average. In those three years, an estimated half a million people of working age have left the UK labor market, and more than three-quarters of UK businesses say that access to labor is threatening UK competitiveness.
As well as the shrinking recruitment pool, there is also a shortage of people with the right skillset. In particular, the digital skills gap has been a long-standing problem for UK businesses. A survey conducted in Q4 2022 underscored that impact, with 81 percent of UK managing directors saying a lack of digital skills is negatively affecting their company.