The Cyber Security Talent Crisis: Are You in Demand?

The global cyber security landscape is facing a crisis: a talent shortage of staggering proportions. The World Economic Forum (https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2023/11/cyber-skills-resilience-against-attacks/) estimates a shortfall of 4 million professionals urgently needed to plug the gap. This translates to a global talent shortage of 85 million workers by 2030, potentially costing the global economy an incredible $8.5 trillion in unrealised annual revenue.

But what does this mean for you?

If you have the right cyber security skills, this crisis represents an unprecedented opportunity. Organisations across all industries are struggling to find qualified candidates, and those with the necessary certifications and experience are in high demand.

Here’s a closer look at the current state of the cyber security skills gap:

An (ISC)² Cybersecurity Workforce Study (https://www.isc2.org/research) found a global gap of 3.4 million unfilled cyber security positions. This number is steadily growing, with Gartner (https://www.gartner.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2023-02-22-gartner-predicts-nearly-half-of-cybersecurity-leaders-will-change-jobs-by-2025) predicting that by 2025, more than half of significant cyber incidents will be the result of the lack of skilled professionals.
Several factors contribute to the talent shortage, including:
- Lack of awareness: Many people are unaware of the exciting and rewarding career opportunities available in cyber security.
- Outdated training: Traditional education systems often struggle to keep pace with the rapidly evolving cyber security landscape.
- Misconceptions: Cyber security careers are often stereotyped as complex and inaccessible.
- Costly certifications: Some industry certifications can be expensive, creating a barrier to entry for aspiring professionals.
There are several ways to bridge the cyber security skills gap:
- Promoting cyber security careers: Educational institutions and industry leaders can work together to raise awareness of cyber security careers and their benefits.
- Developing modernised training programmes: Educational programmes need to be updated to reflect the latest cyber security threats and techniques.
- Offering affordable certification options: Making industry certifications more accessible through scholarships or financial aid can open doors for a wider range of talent.

How IBITGQ qualifications can help you stand out from the crowd

Earning a qualification from IBITGQ can make you a highly sought-after cyber security professional. Here’s why:

Validation of expertise: IBITGQ qualifications demonstrate to potential employers that you have the in-demand skills and knowledge needed to excel in today’s cyber security landscape.
Career advancement: Our qualifications equip you with the skills and knowledge to pursue higher-level cyber security roles, leading to increased earning potential.
Bridge the skills gap: IBITGQ qualifications address the specific skills employers are looking for, making you a more attractive candidate.
Future-proof your skills: The cyber security landscape is constantly evolving. IBITGQ qualifications provide a foundation for continual learning, ensuring you stay relevant in a dynamic field.
Globally recognised: IBITGQ qualifications hold value internationally, enhancing your marketability and opening doors to career opportunities around the world.
Beyond security: IBITGQ qualifications equip not only security professionals but also IT professionals of all backgrounds with a strong foundation in cyber security. This empowers teams as a whole to be more proactive in protecting their organisation’s valuable data.

A deep dive into IBITGQ qualifications

IBITGQ offers a range of qualifications that cater to different experience levels and career goals. Here’s a closer look at some of our most popular offerings:

Certified Cyber Security Foundation (CCSF): This entry-level qualification is ideal for those starting their cyber security careers, operational staff, business directors, and managers. It provides a foundational understanding of cyber security concepts and their impact on organisations.
Certified Cyber Security Practitioner (CCSP): This qualification is designed for those seeking careers in cyber security management or implementation, and IT professionals (network admins, database admins, Cloud architects, IT helpdesk staff) with foundational cyber security experience. It equips you with the technical skills to identify and mitigate cyber threats and advance your cyber security career.
Cyber Incident Response Management Foundation (CIRMF): This qualification is aimed at a broad audience, including senior leadership, IT professionals (system/network admins, support staff, security professionals, analysts), security analysts (SOC analysts), incident responders, information security managers, risk management professionals, compliance managers, security consultants and IT managers/executives. The CIRMF provides foundational knowledge of incident response processes and best practices.
Managing Cyber Security Risk (MCSR): This qualification is designed for IT security managers, IT consultants, IT auditors, IT risk managers, and anyone interested in the field of cyber security.

By earning one or more of these qualifications, you’ll gain valuable knowledge and skills that will make you an asset in today’s cyber security landscape. With the industry facing a significant skills shortage, IBITGQ qualifications can be your key to unlocking a rewarding and in-demand career.

Ready to take the next step? Visit our website at www.ibitgq.org or email servicecentre@ibitgq.org to learn more about our qualifications and how to get started.