The most relevant cybersecurity threat to most businesses may be human, not technical. A sudden wave of cybercrime paired with longstanding tech labor challenges has created a cybersecurity skills gap, leaving companies without the expertise they need.

Some companies lack dedicated security staff entirely, while others have a small, overworked department trying to manage massive workloads. Companies that hope to stay safe need to address this talent shortage.

Here are five strategies for attracting new employees and maximizing the impact of the current workforce.

Look for Potential Over Experience

One mistake companies often make in hiring is overlooking applicants with high potential in favor of those with experience. Years on the job and leading certifications are ideal, but the current cybersecurity job market is too small and competitive. Businesses should expand their search to include less-experienced workers who can grow into top talent.

Looking for recruits with specific cybersecurity degrees and certifications will narrow the field too much. Broadening horizons to include security-adjacent experience and education will help companies find talented candidates that traditional searches may miss.

There are many readily available workers to fill businesses’ cybersecurity needs if they know where to look. Computer science is one of the top ten most valuable college majors right now, so companies can expect many young, promising graduates to enter the workforce soon. They may lack on-the-job experience, but they can gain that under current staff.

Emphasize Upskilling and Reskilling

Similarly, businesses should recognize the importance of ongoing learning within the workplace. When outside talent is hard to find, it may be better to foster from within. Companies can do that by providing career development opportunities or paying for workers to get new certifications and education.

This on-the-job training will help grow less experienced employees into experts. It will also (Read more...)