Security News > 2023 > July > Overcoming the cybersecurity talent shortage with upskilling initiatives
In this Help Net Security interview, Dr. Lindsey Polley de Lopez, Director of Cyber & Space Intelligence at MACH37, proposes strategies for companies, educational institutions, and governments on how to address the ongoing shortage of cybersecurity talent through the introduction of upskilling initiatives.
At the federal level, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency's has a "Cybersecurity Workforce Training Guide" that helps early-career professionals plan a career pathway in cybersecurity, as well as a Cybersecurity Education and Training Assistance Program that helps teachers bring cybersecurity education into K-12 classrooms by providing worksheets, lesson plans, and notes that cover foundational concepts.
What actionable steps can companies, educational institutions, and governments take to address the talent shortage in the cybersecurity industry?
"Industry plays a two-fold role in addressing the cybersecurity talent shortage. First, when looking to fill a cybersecurity vacancy, companies should be more flexible on their hiring requirements. Instead of requiring a 4-year college degree and 3 years of experience for an entry-level position, consider applicants with a key certification in a relevant subject matter area or applicants with on the job experience instead. Second, companies with the ability to provide fundamental cybersecurity training and / or">certifications for free or affordable prices should do so; the positive impact that this would have on the near-term cybersecurity talent shortage can not be overstated.
We need to develop more pipelines spanning educational institutions and industry / government that attract, develop, and retain cybersecurity talent in order to solve the workforce shortage issues.
This availability of new ML/AI tools will likely help bridge some of the cybersecurity talent gap in the near-term while talent pipelines / partnerships continue to be built out and new talent is cultivated.