According to Network World, by 2017, there will be a worldwide shortage of more than two million cybersecurity professionals. The amount and effectiveness of cyber attacks are increasing at an alarming rate. Small businesses, large corporations and government agencies are all being targeted, which creates a massive need for cybersecurity technology and professionals. Furthermore, based on the industry forecast, there is and will be a critical shortage of cybersecurity talent within the next year, leaving organizations extremely vulnerable to an attack.
While there are no guarantees, the best approach to protection is to build a knowledgeable and skilled cybersecurity workforce. A well-prepared workforce can protect your systems, and save sensitive data from being stolen or held for ransom.
Developing a talented cybersecurity workforce
Cybersecurity knowledge needs to exist across the whole organization – from board members and C-level executives, down to operations personnel. While this sounds like a giant undertaking, there are resources to help — in particular the National Cybersecurity Workforce Framework (NCWF).
Created by the National Institute for Cybersecurity Education (NICE), the NCWF is a comprehensive framework that stretches throughout an organization to address all job roles, responsibilities, and the necessary knowledge and skills to fulfill those responsibilities. With the NCWF and guidance from a cybersecurity workforce expert, your workforce will be able to identify and develop missing skills to help ensure the continuous protection of your organization.
Attracting and retaining cybersecurity professionals
As it is with all organizations, if you create a learning environment that provides opportunities for your staff to enhance their skills, you will attract and retain the necessary talent. In particular, creating meaningful individual development plans that include short and long-term goals, and a path to help achieve those goals can have a very positive impact on retention.
Optimize your cybersecurity workforce — aligning people, processes and technology
People: Having a clear, up-to-date understanding of job roles and the competent people to fulfill those roles is essential for any organization to function effectively in a cybersecurity environment.
Process: Cyber attacks are evolving and striking organizations constantly. To continuously defend your organization from these threats, your workforce needs to establish structured processes and implement best practices.
Technology: While new technology can be easy to acquire, your organization will still be at risk of an attack until your employees have the right skills. By providing your workforce with the right cybersecurity training, you can garner the full potential of deployed security technology.
There are no signs of cyber threats decreasing. Attacks will continue to become more sophisticated and more organizations will be targeted. With a highly skilled and knowledgeable cybersecurity workforce, you’re not just protecting your organization, you’re supporting the combined efforts of governments and industry to thwart the attacks. As cybersecurity information sharing becomes more prevalent, the data you collect can be used by other organizations to protect themselves and retaliate.
Richard A. Spires is the CEO of Learning Tree International.
