Tackling the Cybersecurity Skills Gap

It’s no secret that the cybersecurity skill gap is a hot topic for many leaders. We live in an age where nearly everything is online, from your mother’s recipe blog to the core infrastructure of entire nations. With this interconnectedness comes an ever-growing and rapidly evolving threat landscape. Cybercriminals are becoming more sophisticated by the hour, and organizations are struggling to keep up. Here’s the kicker: there’s a huge shortage of skilled cybersecurity professionals—roughly 3.5 million unfilled jobs by 2025. So what do we do, and how do we tackle this? 

Is the cybersecurity “unicorn” really what we need to be searching for? This mythical creature is described as a single professional who can master every discipline, every tool, and every new threat. This unicorn is supposed to solve all the problems, manage risk, detect threats, and patch vulnerabilities, all while sipping their morning latte. Spoiler alert: the cybersecurity unicorn doesn’t exist, and holding out for one is simply perpetuating a serious problem and even making the skills gap even worse. 

The Cybersecurity Unicorn: Myth or Reality?

Let’s be real for a second. When you see job postings for cybersecurity roles, the requirements read like a laundry list for a superhero. You’re expected to have technical experience, compliance knowledge, hands-on experience with AI and cloud security, and the ability to think long-term strategically, all while having the appropriate amount of business acumen. Oh, and don’t forget that with current economic pressures, we are expected to do all this on a shoestring budget. 

This all-encompassing expert, the so-called cybersecurity unicorn, is more fantasy than fact. Expecting anyone to master every area of cybersecurity and keep up with its ever-changing nature is, frankly, ridiculous. Yet, many companies are sitting on vacancies, hoping to find someone who can check all the boxes. Spoiler alert (again): they don’t. And by delaying hires, we are more vulnerable to cyber-attacks and threats. 

Rather than looking for these mythical creatures, organizations should build balanced teams of experts to complement each other’s skills. But that’s not always what’s happening. As the search for perfection continues, roles remain unfilled, and the entry-level candidates who could be stepping in to fill the gaps are left standing outside the gates, unable to break into an industry desperately needing talent.

The Extent of the Cybersecurity Skills Gap 

Make no mistake…the cybersecurity skills gap is a global crisis. This isn’t a minor issue that affects a few industries. We’re discussing a widespread problem that exposes organizations, governments, and individuals to increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks.  

Every unfilled position represents a point of vulnerability, whether an unpatched software flaw, a misconfigured network, or an outdated system susceptible to malicious actors.  Furthermore, the rise of remote work, the growing adoption of cloud computing, and the explosion of the Internet of Things devices have only expanded the attack surface that needs to be protected. And guess what? Without enough trained professionals, companies can become sitting ducks. 

Why does the Skill Gap Exist?

There’s no one reason for the skills gap, but it can be attributed to two key drivers: the technology evolution rate and the lack of hands-on training. 

Tech is Evolving Faster Than We Can Keep Up

The speed at which technology evolves is increasing. New tools and technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning, and IoT are now integral to most organizations, and with them come new vulnerabilities. Many cybersecurity pros who entered the field just a few years ago find their knowledge becoming outdated quickly. Even five years ago, what worked to protect systems may not be enough to counter today’s threats. 

Yet, many education and training programs haven’t kept pace despite the need to keep learning. They’re teaching outdated material and focusing too much on theory rather than practical application.  

Lack of Hands-On Training 

Sure, more universities offer cybersecurity degrees, but these programs often don’t prepare students for the real-world challenges they’ll face. The theory is great, but cybersecurity is a field where hands-on experience is supreme. Yet employers are hesitant to hire people straight out of school, opting instead for candidates with years of experience while requiring extreme qualifications for beginner roles without a path for practical experience. That creates a vicious cycle where entry-level professionals can’t get experience because they need experience to get hired. Make sense? Of course not, but here we are. 

The Consequences of the Cybersecurity Skills Shortage

So, what happens when there aren’t enough cybersecurity professionals to go around? A whole lot of bad things. Let’s dive into a few: 

Increased Vulnerability to Attacks 

Organizations with fewer professionals monitoring systems and patching vulnerabilities are far more likely to fall victim to cyber-attacks. And hackers? Oh, they’re very aware of the skills gap. They know many companies don’t have the staff to defend their systems properly, and they’re more than happy to exploit those weaknesses. Breaches and ransomware attacks are all on the rise, and the skills gap is a big part of the problem. 

Skyrocketing Financial Costs 

Cyberattacks aren’t just an IT issue but a bottom-line problem. The average cost of a data breach in the U.S. hit a staggering $9.44 million in 2023. The costs can be catastrophic for companies that don’t have adequate cybersecurity measures in place. Lost revenue, legal liabilities, and reputational damage all pile up, and once again, the skills gap is making these incidents more common. Now that we’ve outlined the problem, what can be done?

Training and Upskilling 

We need to invest in the ongoing education and development of the current cybersecurity workforce. Cybersecurity pros should have access to regular training that helps them stay on top of the latest technologies and threats. Employers need to recognize that talent isn’t always fully formed and be willing to invest in candidates with potential rather than waiting for the mythical perfect fit to walk through the door.

Broadening the Talent Pool 

We also need to broaden the talent pool. That means making cybersecurity more accessible to underrepresented groups, like women and minorities, often overlooked in tech roles.  Creating pathways for IT professionals to transition into cybersecurity roles is a no-brainer. They already have relevant experience, and with some upskilling, they could fill critical roles quickly. 

Realistic Expectations in Hiring 

Finally, it’s time for companies to get real regarding hiring. Stop waiting for the unicorn and start building teams with complementary skills. No one person can do it all, and that’s okay. Cybersecurity is a team sport; the sooner we recognize it, the sooner we can fill the gaps and strengthen our defenses. 

A Future of Collaboration

The cybersecurity skills gap is a complex problem, but it’s not impossible. By investing in education, training, and realistic hiring practices, we can start to close the gap and protect our digital infrastructure. And as for that cybersecurity unicorn? It’s time to let it go. We need not one magical solution but rather diverse teams of talented individuals who can tackle the challenges and collaborate to fight against the common enemy.