A shortage of cybersecurity professionals could threaten economic stability and technological innovation. In today's hyper-connected digital environment, the cybersecurity industry faces a critical shortage of nearly 4 million professionals globally, the World Economic Forum said in a white paper. “With the demand for qualified practitioners increasing consistently every year, the deficit shows no signs of slowing down.”
“As cyber threats grow in sophistication and frequency, cybersecurity talent plays a critical role in securing the benefits of the Fourth Industrial Revolution as the backbone of organizational security.”
“Failure to ensure a steady supply of cybersecurity professionals could have far-reaching consequences, leaving organizations around the world vulnerable and understaffed in the face of new threats.”
Therefore, it is imperative that decision makers prioritize cybersecurity talent management as a strategic necessity, the paper said.
The paper says that while working in the cybersecurity field offers many exciting opportunities, the study found that 67% of cybersecurity professionals would not recommend a career in the industry. is.
“Long hours are often cited as a major cause of employee dissatisfaction. Additionally, high-stress environments and demands for constant vigilance can have a negative impact on the mental health of cybersecurity professionals.”
Data shows that two-thirds of cybersecurity professionals experience significant stress at work, and more than half are prescribed medication for their mental health. ”
To address mental health concerns in the workplace, executives are increasingly prioritizing the issue. According to the Deloitte report, 76% of executives agree that employee happiness needs to be measured and monitored, and 83% say it should be discussed at board level. ”
The World Economic Forum has established an initiative called Bridging the Cyber Skills Gap, which is comprised of more than 50 public and private organizations.
The initiative reads:
- By increasing understanding of the work of cybersecurity professionals, removing barriers to entry, and improving workforce diversity, more talent can be drawn to cybersecurity.
- – Cybersecurity education and training could be improved to more effectively equip students and professionals with the skills essential to careers in the field.
- – Potentially rethink hiring practices by addressing challenges such as unrealistic and demanding requirements in job descriptions and misalignment between recruiters and human resources (HR) departments
- – Retention rates of cybersecurity professionals could be improved by addressing issues such as lack of recognition and awareness of the field and high stress levels
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