The Chartered Institute of Information Security (CIISec) has revealed a worrying trend in the world of cybersecurity, with professionals in the field increasingly being drawn into the digital underworld. Qualitative dark web analysis conducted in collaboration with a former police officer specializing in dark web activities reveals that a growing number of cybersecurity professionals are turning to online crime.
Compensation and working hours are among the most important concerns in the industry, according to CIISec's latest research. This research provides evidence that these concerns are driving many cybersecurity professionals to turn to cybercrime to supplement their incomes. Victims of ransomware attacks have paid an alarming annual total of more than $1 billion to cybercriminals globally in 2023 alone, taking away from mainstream employment compared to the industry's modest compensation. It seems to encourage a dangerous escape.
The institute predicts that up to 10% of cybersecurity professionals may quit their regular jobs in the near future due to these alarming trends. Indeed, an alarming number of professionals working in mainstream roles commit cybercrimes for traditional motives, such as for financial gain, to replace an irregular or inadequate workload, or even for expenses such as Christmas presents. We provide services to people.
CIISec CEO Amanda Finch expressed concern about this issue. “Our analysis shows that highly skilled individuals are turning to cybercrime, and given the number of people predicted to leave the industry, many Preventing this from happening means making sure that as an industry we do everything we can to attract and retain talent. It means doing,” she warned.
The study found that job seekers on the dark web are not limited to cyber professionals. Among them were voice actors who had lost their jobs, PR and content creators looking for their next jobs. The investigation, led by an undercover former police officer named Mark, found that experts were recruiting for roles that fell into different groups. These include experienced IT workers and security professionals, new entrants to the security workforce, and other industry professionals eager to expand into cybercrime.
This trend has worrying implications for the cybersecurity industry, given that the digital space is becoming more vulnerable to cyber-attacks. CIISec is now urging new concerted efforts to counter this trend, advocating for improved remuneration and working conditions in the sector to retain valuable talent and prevent further drift to the 'dark side'. are doing.
“There is a huge range of skills advertised on the dark web, many of which are transferable,” Levine exclaimed. “Cybersecurity jobs have a lot to offer to people in all industries, whether they're creators, developers, or even voice actors. To show that there's room for everyone in security, we're here to help. must do more, or we will lose more and more talent to cybercrime.”
