A 2020 Cybersecurity Workforce report reveals that there is currently only one qualified IT worker for every three unfilled positions in the market – leaving 3 million jobs vacant and exposing organizations to potential security threats! As the geopolitical landscape continues to see growing complexity and strife, increased efforts must be taken toward strengthening cybersecurity. Criminal groups continually seek new ways of disrupting stability through cyberspace – a realm that cannot be ignored as it has become intertwined with our daily lives at many levels. To safeguard against these mounting security threats, urgent action is required on an individual and global level to ensure robust cyber protection for all those involved worldwide.
With the backdrop of the introduction of a new cybersecurity policy, businesses across America are staring at an impending crisis. The White House has recently published a National Cybersecurity Strategy, which discusses the necessary “roles, responsibilities, and resources in cyberspace in the U.S.” The document, developed through discussions and consultations with more than 20 government agencies and numerous private sector organizations, identifies the weaknesses and challenges in cybersecurity, from software and internet infrastructure vulnerabilities to workforce shortages. While the strategy aims to “rebalance” the responsibility for cyber risk by requiring software providers to assume greater responsibility for the security of their products, it also expands minimum mandatory cybersecurity requirements for critical sectors. Additionally, the strategy bolsters the US Cyber Command’s ability to engage in offensive operations building upon the previous “defend-forward policy.” This approach aims to coordinate and enhance offensive operations in cybersecurity to protect US interests.
Impact on Cybersecurity Staffing Needs of Businesses
- The White House’s new cybersecurity policy may impact the staffing needs of organizations responsible for implementing and maintaining cybersecurity measures. The policy aims to improve the nation’s cybersecurity defenses against cyber threats by promoting greater collaboration between government agencies and private sector organizations, improving information sharing, and investing in upgrading cybersecurity infrastructure.
- The new cybersecurity policy will emphasize expanding cybersecurity staffing in both the public and private sectors, which is crucial given the current shortage of cybersecurity experts. As a result of this shortage, cybersecurity professionals are seeking higher salaries, which makes it challenging for organizations to hire and retain qualified professionals. This can result in a gap in the workforce.
- Depending on the size and type of the organization, the effect of this policy on businesses will vary. The policy will present a significant challenge for smaller organizations with constrained IT resources because they may need to make significant investments in additional cybersecurity personnel and equipment to comply with the new regulations.
- Businesses will have to update their current security protocols and make investments in better cybersecurity infrastructure and personnel because of the new policy. Companies will also need to implement stronger data protection measures and provide employees with adequate training.
Way Ahead
The Deputy National Security Advisor for Cyber and Emerging Technology, Anne Neuberger, said: “… the strategy says we need an open, secure, and interoperable cyberspace. It’s possible to do it. We’ll do it with our partners in the private sector and countries around the world.”
Although the new Cybersecurity policy is bound to impact service providers across the US due to the shortage of cybersecurity personnel, in the long run, it will benefit the country’s overall economy. To bridge the staffing shortage gap, businesses can train their current staff and sharpen their recruitment process to attract the right talent to join their cyber force. Businesses must actively seek ways to increase their resilience by sourcing more capable professionals or face losses due to inadequate infrastructure.
iQuasar, with its across-the-board understanding of the issues and concerns, is ideally placed to chip in with software and workforce solutions. iQuasar has a team of professional recruiters with all the requisite technical knowledge and experiences – salary negotiating skills, understanding of client’s requirements, prevailing market trends, and the like – which make us highly proficient in spotting and roping in the right talent for a business’s cybersecurity staffing needs.
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