Survey Reveals Challenges Facing Cybersecurity Profession

Lack of talent, skills and recruiting are among the challenges facing the cybersecurity profession, according to a new survey.

The Cyber Security Job Trends Survey for 2016 by Cybrary revealed the challenges that many employers face in recruiting skilled cybersecurity employees. More than 80 percent of respondents indicated that they always or sometimes have trouble recruiting skilled cybersecurity professionals. The top reasons given were lack of skilled cyber security talent in general (40 percent), lack of resources to properly find and attract talent (18 percent), and location of talent (14 percent).

While 37 percent of companies recruit talent via their HR department, nearly 25 percent have not yet figured out the best way to recruit. What’s more, some positions can take nearly four months to fill, the survey said. With respect to cybersecurity talent in their specific geographic area, most respondents indicated there is some talent, but it’s difficult to find.

In addition to talent and recruiting challenges, the survey showed several trends about cybersecurity certifications, skills, and salary. The most in demand cybersecurity certifications were Security+, Ethical Hacking, Network+, CISSP, and A+. The most in demand skills were Ethical Hacking, Computer Forensics, CISSP, Malware Analysis, and Advanced Penetration Testing.

Respondents indicated that all categories of cybersecurity jobs were important, with a slight emphasis on Network and Application Security, followed by GRC/Information Assurance and Malware and Threat and Intel. Nearly 50 percent of respondents said their company had a Chief Security Officer or Chief Information Security Officer.

In terms of salary, 50 percent of companies said their average cybersecurity worker makes $25,000-$50,000 per year, 21 percent said $50,000-$75,000 per year, 17 percent said $75,000-$100,000 per year, and 12 percent said that their average cybersecurity worker makes more than $100,000 per year. About 47 percent of respondents said that there company plans to hire one – 10 cyber security workers in 2016.