Bridging the Cybersecurity Talent and Skills Gap

Effective cybersecurity requires a combination of the right platform and tools, security research and threat intelligence, and the right skills and expertise. Each of these facets can be a challenge but finding and retaining people with the necessary skills and expertise is increasingly difficult. The industry has effectively zero unemployment with a projected shortfall of 3.5 million unfilled cybersecurity roles, according to Cybersecurity Ventures.

The Cybersecurity Talent Deficit

There are a variety of factors contributing to the shortfall of qualified cybersecurity professionals. Technology in general is a constantly expanding and evolving field. Each new device, platform, application and service provides unique benefits and helps to streamline productivity or improve our lives in some way—but at a cost. The reality is that each of these things also exposes organizations and individuals to increased risk as well, as cybercriminals identify and exploit flaws in new technologies.

Digital transformation has also increased the attack surface and expanded demand for specific cybersecurity skills. As organizations have migrated from traditional local data centers to hybrid cloud environments the rules of the game change. Mobile devices, and internet-of-things (IoT) devices, and DevOps culture, and container technologies all contribute to a more complex ecosystem that cybersecurity professionals are tasked with securing and protecting.

Organizations are under siege from a rising volume of security incidents, but the rapid pace of change makes it challenging to train skilled practitioners fast enough. The cybersecurity professionals with the right skills and experience can be expensive and face a very real threat of burnout—making it difficult to retain them as well.

Engaging an MSSP

You can accept the challenge and try to find the necessary cybersecurity talent. Keep in mind, though, that is only one facet of effective cybersecurity. You also need to invest in security platforms, hardware, and software, and you need to stay on top of security research and threat intelligence so you’re aware of emerging threats and trends.

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Even if you manage to put all of those pieces in place, your view of the threat landscape will be very myopic. You will only have visibility of the threats that hit your network, putting you at a disadvantage and compressing the timeframe available to take action to avoid compromise.

One way to address the cybersecurity talent and skills gap and get cost-effective cybersecurity at the same time is to partner with a managed security services provider (MSSP). Let the MSSP deal with how to attract, train, and retain individuals with the necessary cybersecurity talent and skills. Because security is all they do—all day, every day—they are better equipped with the right platform, intelligence and experts to effectively monitor and protect your networks and data.

Security Maturity: How to Bridge the Talent and Skills Gap

Alert Logic hosted a webinar on this very issue. Chris Noell, SVP of Product, and Joey Peloquin, Director of Product Management speak plainly about the challenge of maturing and managing effective cybersecurity programs in the age of the talent and skills gap. They also provide alternative solutions that don’t involve organizations struggling to implement disparate tools or onboarding expensive outsourcing providers.

Watch the full webinar to learn more. Click here to check out Security Maturity: How to Bridge the Talent and Skills Gap.