The cybersecurity skills gap might be narrowing at last.
For at least the last five years, research reports have suggested a shortage of at least 3m qualified cybersecurity professionals worldwide. Some sources put it far higher, at closer to 5m.
But raw numbers of personnel might not tell the full story. Although shortages have continued to grow, the hiring shortfall has levelled off. And there is now more focus on the makeup of security teams, rather than just in increasing headcounts.
This view is supported by the latest Cybersecurity Workforce Study, from ISC2. It suggests that CISOs are now less concerned about the number of cyber professionals in their organisations. Instead, the question is whether they have the right mix of skills, to take on an increasingly complex threat landscape.
This is all the more the case when it comes to AI. Cybersecurity teams need to secure AI tools in enterprise environments, and defend against bad actors who are, increasingly, making use of AI to refine their attacks.
Of course, AI offers the potential to improve security, and it could help professionals develop their defensive skills. But in the meantime, CISOs need to ensure they are recruiting and retaining the right people, according to Casey Marks, COO at ISC2. Effective cybersecurity, he says, needs teamwork as much as individual expertise.
Interview by Stephen Pritchard
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