A recent research conducted by the Enterprise Strategy Group (ESG) and the Information Systems Security Association (ISSA) has revealed that the global cybersecurity skills shortage continues to have a significant impact on organizations. The study shows that 71% of security professionals surveyed this year reported that their organizations have been affected by the shortage, a considerable increase from 57% in 2021.
One of the major implications of the skills shortage is the increasing workload for existing cybersecurity staff. According to the survey, 61% of respondents stated that the shortage has led to heavier workloads for their teams. This approach of overburdening employees with additional tasks is not only unsustainable but also poses risks in terms of maintaining security standards.
Another consequence of the skills shortage is the difficulty in filling new job openings. Nearly half (49%) of the professionals surveyed reported that it takes weeks or even months to fill vacant positions. This problem seems to be more prevalent in smaller organizations, remote areas, and the public sector. However, even larger and well-resourced organizations face challenges in finding qualified candidates.
The skills shortage also contributes to high burnout and attrition rates among cybersecurity staff. The survey found that 43% of respondents experienced burnout or witnessed increased turnover due to the shortage. This cycle perpetuates itself as organizations try to compensate for the lack of skilled professionals by putting more pressure on their existing employees, leading to further burnout and turnover.
Furthermore, the skills shortage hampers organizations’ ability to fully leverage security technologies. Approximately 39% of professionals reported that the shortage prevents them from effectively learning and utilizing security tools and solutions. This limitation exposes organizations to unnecessary risks, as they are unable to fully exploit the potential of their investments in security controls.
A concerning aspect highlighted by the survey is that the cybersecurity skills shortage appears to be worsening. More than half (54%) of the professionals surveyed believe that the shortage has become more severe in the past two years. Only 5% of respondents believe that the situation has improved, while 41% consider it to be unchanged. This suggests that the efforts to address the skills gap have not yielded significant results so far.
It is clear that organizations cannot simply hire their way out of the cybersecurity skills shortage. Solving this issue requires a holistic approach that encompasses various elements. The research report recommends several measures that organizations can undertake to mitigate the impact of the shortage. These include investing in internship programs, mentoring initiatives, and comprehensive training to create a cybersecurity center of excellence. By adopting these strategies, organizations can not only attract talented junior employees but also ensure their successful integration into the workforce.
Addressing the skills shortage in cybersecurity is crucial for the protection of valuable data and the resilience of organizations against cyber threats. The ESG/ISSA research report, titled “The Life and Times of Cybersecurity Professionals v6,” delves into various aspects of the cybersecurity profession, including career development, job satisfaction, and CISO performance and leadership. The report is available as a free ebook and provides valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities in the cybersecurity field.
In conclusion, the global cybersecurity skills shortage continues to have a detrimental impact on organizations. The lack of qualified professionals leads to increased workloads, slower recruitment processes, burnout and attrition, limited utilization of security technologies, and overall vulnerability to cyber threats. It is crucial for organizations to address this issue by implementing comprehensive strategies that include recruitment, training, and retention initiatives. Only by tackling the skills shortage can organizations strengthen their cybersecurity defenses and protect their valuable data.