Cybersecurity Gap Remains Huge Despite Focus on Industry

Employers remain hungry for cybersecurity talent.

According to the latest data from CyberSeek, there are only enough professionals to fill 85 percent of open cybersecurity jobs in the United States. Some 1.2 million people are already employed in cybersecurity. (CyberSeek is a joint initiative of NICE, a program of the National Institute of Standards and Technology focused on advancing cybersecurity education and workforce development, analytics firm Lightcast, and CompTIA.)

“Although demand for cybersecurity jobs is beginning to normalize to pre-pandemic levels, the longstanding cyber talent gap persists,” Will Markow, vice president of applied research at Lightcast, wrote in a statement accompanying the data. “At the same time, new threats and technologies are causing cybersecurity skill requirements to evolve at a breakneck pace, forcing employers, educators, and individuals to proactively anticipate and prepare for an ever-changing cyber landscape.”

Those with the right cybersecurity skills, in other words, have some leverage when it comes to finding jobs and negotiating compensation packages. However, employers expect you to know your stuff. If you’re relatively new to the cybersecurity game, keep in mind that securing key certifications can go a long way toward showing your technical expertise.

Some of the most frequently cited cybersecurity certifications include:

“Soft skills” such as empathy and communication also remain critical, as cybersecurity professionals must convey information to stakeholders throughout an organization in a way that’s understandable.

For cybersecurity professionals, continuous learning is likewise key, especially given how much artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the threat landscape. For companies facing a cybersecurity gap, offering upskilling and training opportunities to existing employees can prove critical to maintaining an up-to-date defense. “Building a robust cybersecurity presence often requires changes in talent acquisition strategies and tactics,” said Hannah Johnson, senior vice president, tech talent programs, CompTIA. “That can include upskilling less experienced cybersecurity professionals for more advanced roles, or hiring people who demonstrate subject matter expertise via professional certifications or other credentials.”