Solution Spotlight: A first look at ISC2's 2024 Cybersecurity Workforce Study. [Special Edition]
Oct 14, 2024
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Join Andy Woolnough, Executive Vice President of Corporate Affairs at ISC2, and Simone Petrella, President of N2K, as they dive into the critical findings of ISC2's 2024 Cybersecurity Workforce Study. They discuss alarming trends such as skills shortages and the growing disconnect between hiring manager demands and the skills that professionals prioritize. The conversation highlights the urgent need for organizations to invest in talent development and address diversity within the industry, ensuring a future-ready cybersecurity workforce.
The 2024 Cybersecurity Workforce Study highlights a concerning stagnation in workforce growth, emphasizing the need for increased investment in mature markets.
There is a critical misalignment between the skills prioritized by cybersecurity professionals and those valued by hiring managers, necessitating improved hiring practices.
Deep dives
Importance of the Cybersecurity Workforce Study
The Cybersecurity Workforce Study, conducted by ISC2, plays a crucial role in understanding the current landscape of the cybersecurity profession. It provides valuable insights into the sentiments of cybersecurity professionals, helping organizations and governments make informed decisions about workforce development and investment. By assessing issues such as burnout, career growth, and the need for skill development, the study serves as a benchmark for tracking progress in the field. It emphasizes the significance of regular feedback to enhance education and training initiatives, ensuring that the workforce remains equipped to handle evolving cybersecurity challenges.
Stagnation in Workforce Growth
The study reveals that cybersecurity workforce growth has stalled for the first time, with only a marginal increase of 0.1%, maintaining a total of 5.5 million professionals globally. This stagnation is attributed not to a lack of talent, but rather to insufficient investment and economic challenges faced worldwide. While developed markets, particularly in the U.S., showed little growth, emerging markets like Saudi Arabia and South Africa have experienced significant increases due to supportive governmental initiatives. This disparity underscores the need for greater investment and focus on developing the cybersecurity workforce in more mature markets.
Skills Gap and Alignment Issues
A notable discrepancy exists between the skills valued by cybersecurity professionals and those prioritized by hiring managers, indicating a need for better alignment between workforce needs and organizational hiring practices. Professionals highlight the importance of communication, cloud computing, and AI skills, whereas HR departments often undervalue these areas. This misalignment can lead to organizational stress and hinder the effective integration of new hires. Addressing these gaps is essential for ensuring that hiring processes are tailored to meet the dynamic needs of cybersecurity teams, thereby enhancing overall effectiveness.
In this special edition of Solution Spotlight, join us for an exclusive conversation between ISC2's Executive Vice President of Corporate Affairs, Andy Woolnough, and N2K's Simone Petrella. Together, they take a deep dive into ISC2's 2024 Cybersecurity Workforce Study, offering a first look at the most pressing findings.
Discover insights from a survey of 15,852 cybersecurity professionals and decision-makers across the globe, including the size of the current workforce, the demand for more professionals, and alarming trends around layoffs, budget cuts, and skills shortages. Andy and Simone also explore the growing disconnect between the skills in high demand by hiring managers and those that cybersecurity pros are prioritizing. Learn why organizations must take immediate action to foster talent and bridge these skills gaps to meet the industry's evolving needs.
Plus, today marks the start of the ISC2 Security Congress 2024! Whether attending in person or virtually, this event is packed with opportunities to engage with industry experts and further your knowledge in cybersecurity.
Tune in for actionable insights and exclusive details on the state of the cybersecurity workforce and how your organization can stay ahead.
For more information on ISC2 Security Congress 2024, visit the event page here.