Addressing the Shortage of Cybersecurity Professionals

The need for cybersecurity professionals has reached an all-time high in today’s digital age. The cybersecurity industry continuously evolves to meet demands like:

• The increasing complexity of cyber threats
• The growing reliance on technology by businesses and organizations of all sizes
• The recognition of the importance of cybersecurity jobs.

As a result, there is a high demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals who can help organizations protect their data and systems.

Despite this need, the industry faces a steep cybersecurity talent shortage. Cyberseek.org's heatmap provides valuable insight, showcasing the number of open positions and the number of professionals available to fill those roles. There are more than 572,000 positions available,* but only enough cybersecurity professionals in the United States to fulfill 72% of posted cybersecurity jobs.

What is driving the shortage of cybersecurity professionals? How does the cybersecurity talent shortage affect the future of cybersecurity jobs? Read on for Washington University in St. Louis Sever Institute's solution to the cybersecurity shortage.

*Positions available as of October 2023.

Cybersecurity Shortage: Ongoing and Emerging Challenges

The shortage of cybersecurity professionals is not simply due to a lack of qualified candidates. Several underlying factors contribute to the ongoing talent gap, including:

• The perceived risk of hiring recent cybersecurity graduates
• CISOs (chief information security officers) struggling to make a compelling case to hire new and additional talent
• The disconnect between job posting requirements and skills needed for cybersecurity jobs

Mentorship and Training Challenges

One of the primary challenges lies in the industry's reluctance to invest in training and mentorship for unproven cybersecurity talent.

While the number of individuals interested in cybersecurity jobs is increasing, the perceived risk of bringing on unproven professionals at the entry level is a significant barrier. Mitigating the cybersecurity talent shortage could be achievable if the industry were willing to invest in training and mentorship programs. 

Executive Challenges

Often, CISOs advance their career through their technical background. The lack of training and mentorship for CISOs in business practices often results in difficulty communicating the importance of hiring cybersecurity talent to executives outside the industry. This struggle to advocate for more cybersecurity roles becomes a significant challenge for CISOs aiming to bolster their organization’s defenses.

The cybersecurity talent shortage is further compounded by corporate executives’ perceptions that cybersecurity jobs are a cost center rather than a profit contributor. Bridging this gap between the technical and business aspects of cybersecurity is crucial in addressing the talent shortage and ensuring a robust defense against emerging cyber threats.

Additional Challenges

Communication breakdowns between CISOs and Human Resources (HR) departments worsen the cybersecurity shortage. HR may not fully understand the qualifications required for cybersecurity roles, resulting in a mismatch between job requirements and real-world job roles. A recalibration is essential to bridge this gap and ensure cybersecurity job ads accurately reflect the skills needed.

Moreover, entry-level talent is often outsourced overseas as a cost saving measure, further complicating the U.S. cybersecurity talent shortage.

WashU’s Solution to the Shortage of Cybersecurity Professionals

The Sever Institute is dedicated to preparing future cybersecurity leaders, ensuring that students are ready to tackle cybersecurity challenges from day one of their careers.

We address the cybersecurity talent shortage by providing comprehensive, hands-on programs for individuals at the entry, mid, and executive levels. Our programs are relevant and up to date with curriculum designed around the latest industry needs. We are advised by industry experts and bring in alumni to speak with our students.

The Sever Institute's faculty consists of industry experts, such as the global CISO for Scout Motors and the global CISO for Johnson & Johnson. These experts bring real-world experience to the classroom, and they help students to develop the relationships and skills they need to be successful in cybersecurity jobs.

In addition to its academic programs, the Sever Institute also offers a number of experiential learning opportunities, such as Cybersecurity Boot Camp. This Boot Camp provides students with hands-on experience in cybersecurity, which they can use immediately upon graduation.

The Sever Institute understands the importance of providing cybersecurity professionals avenues to develop the skills and political savvy necessary to advance within their organizations. Additionally, our alumni network provides students with support and mentorship throughout their careers.

By offering programs at every career level, the Sever Institute is committed to being there for you at every stage of your cybersecurity journey, ensuring you are well-equipped to tackle the cybersecurity talent shortage head-on.