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EDITOR’S QUESTION
RICHARD MEEUS, SECURITY
TECHNOLOGY AND STRATEGY
DIRECTOR, EMEA AT AKAMAI
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I
f you’re a cybersecurity professional,
there’s never been a time where your
skills have been more in demand. As
companies are growing increasingly aware
of the threats out there and the implications
of what could happen if they get breached,
the onus on having a top-notch team is
getting higher on the agenda. While things
are positive for those trying to find a role,
the other side is less so with demand far
outstripping supply. However, all is not lost
and there are various strategies companies
can put in place to reduce the skills gap
facing the cybersecurity industry.
Firstly, companies need to take a fresh
approach when it comes to attracting
talent, particularly in relation to entry level
positions. The cybersecurity industry tends to
rely on mathematical skills, requires analysis
of defences and someone who can think
laterally when penetration testing and has
the mindset to evaluate risk. Looking beyond
those with formal qualifications, many new
recruits that have these skills can develop the
more technical aspects like coding, ethical
hacking and analytics on the job.
As well as a fresh approach to who you
target, how it’s done is just as important.
Creating innovative methods to attract
people into the process is vital. A great
example is gamification and the work done
by GCHQ’s codebreaking masterclass. Open
to all ages, ethnicities and genders, it levelled
the playing field for candidates creating an
easy entry level for everyone and boosting
the chance of generating a larger pool of
raw talent – helping to increase diversity in
the process.
Another tried and tested way to reduce the
cyberskills gap is through apprenticeships.
Through this method, fresh talent can study
for the qualifications they require for full
time employment, while learning the exact
skills they’ll need with the company they’re
www.intelligentcio.com
“
IT’S NOT JUST
DOWN TO THE
INDUSTRY TO
REDUCE THE
SKILLS GAP, THE
GOVERNMENT
HAS A BIG ROLE
TO PLAY TOO.
working for. Additionally, apprentices don’t
even need to attend university or college
in person now and can do courses through
online portals, leaving more time for on-
the-job training.
Finally, it’s not just down to the industry
to reduce the skills gap, the government
has a big role to play too. From investment
in education to specific initiatives, there
are a number of ways it can help.
Fortunately, it has been doing just that
with an overall National Cyber Security
Strategy launched in 2016 and the £20
million Cyber Schools Programme.
The UK has a long way to go to eventually
plug the skills gap overall, but there are now
lots of ways that we as an industry, along
with the government’s help, can do that
– ensuring the country is fighting fit in the
battle against the cybercriminals for years
to come.
INTELLIGENTCIO
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