EDITOR’S QUESTION
MATT LOCK, TECHNICAL
DIRECTOR UK, VARONIS
Q + A + Q + A + Q + A + Q + A + Q + A + Q + A + Q + A + Q
Reports say there will be over 3
million unfilled security positions
by next year. It’s going to be an
ongoing issue, but COVID will squeeze
many companies and add to the challenge.
According to Cybersecurity Ventures, a total
of 3.5 million cybersecurity jobs will be
available but unfilled by 2021.
Executives and boards looking to reduce
their expenses should think carefully before
cutting security staff or eliminating open
positions. Companies should also widen
their approach to recruiting by considering
candidates who have not attended
university – cybersecurity is a dynamic
field and those hiring should prioritise
experience and certifications.
Many business leaders do not understand
that their IT and security staff is
underutilised. If IT is spending their time
resetting passwords and assigning access
to group resources, and if security staff is
“
ACCORDING TO
CYBERSECURITY
VENTURES,
A TOTAL OF
3.5 MILLION
CYBERSECURITY
JOBS WILL
BE AVAILABLE
BUT UNFILLED
BY 2021.
buried in alerts, it’s only a matter of time
before a compromise occurs. Organisations
should reduce the burden on IT by helping
end-users help themselves with self-service
tools, and they should help security staff by
ensuring their defences are tightly integrated
to help staff quickly identify and elevate only
the most likely security violations.
Automation and Machine Learning are
picking up the slack by helping companies
bridge the human talent gap and defend
critical assets. If you’re still relying on
staffers to watch monitors 24/7, you’re
already behind. Not only is it ineffective
and a waste of your qualified staff, it does
not guarantee that you will spot and stop
an attack before damage is done. Attackers
are opportunists and sophisticated ones will
take their time and launch an attack when
it’s least expected. If a ransomware attack
hits your network on a bank holiday or a
Friday evening, technology will be your first
line of defence.
36 INTELLIGENTCIO www.intelligentcio.com