With Cybersecurity Career Week in full swing, new data from a National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) tool has indicated that from Sept. 2022 through Aug. 2023, there were only 72 cybersecurity workers available for every 100 cybersecurity jobs demanded by employers, leaving a need for approximately 315,000 personnel to cover those positions.
The new data from CyberSeek – released Monday – has revealed a need for more cybersecurity support across the Federal government and its private industry partners.
“Cybersecurity workers protect our most important and private information, from bank accounts to sensitive military communications. However, there is a dangerous shortage of cybersecurity workers in the United States that puts our digital privacy and infrastructure at risk,” stated NIST.
CyberSeek is a joint initiative effort from the National Institute for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) – within NIST – CompTIA, and Lightcast.
“Managing cybersecurity risks remains a top priority for enterprises within the public and private sectors,” said Rodney Petersen, director of NICE.
“During Cybersecurity Career Week, we challenge employers from all sectors to promote career opportunities in cybersecurity to individuals of all ages and from diverse backgrounds, and we invite students, career seekers, and employees to explore cybersecurity as an exciting, rewarding and in-demand career opportunity,” said Petersen.
The tool seeks to inform many stakeholders, educators, students, and job seekers of the potential of over 500,000 job openings in the cybersecurity sector this year.
“The cybersecurity talent gap has narrowed slightly, but companies must still shift their thinking to focus on cyber skills, rather than credentials, to really get the talent they need” said Will Markow, vice president for applied research at Lightcast.
“Focusing on skills not only expands and diversifies the talent pool by reaching more workers, it also allows employers to target their training programs and take ownership of their cybersecurity talent pipeline,” said Markow.
Another detrimental issue facing the cybersecurity job market is the length of finding qualified employees to fill the positions. CyberSeek finds that “On average, cybersecurity roles take 21% longer to fill than other IT jobs.”
“Cybersecurity evolves faster than traditional learning pathways can keep up with,” said Nancy Hammervik, chief workforce solutions officer, CompTIA. “It is a significant challenge, but also a promising opportunity. A growing number of employers are considering and hiring job candidates who travel alternate career pathways, but have the knowledge and skills required to succeed in cybersecurity roles.”
