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While there are millions of cybersecurity job openings worldwide, employers are finding it extremely difficult to fill these positions. Amid a global deficit of nearly 4 million cybersecurity workers, there is an increasing disparity between organizations that are cyber resilient and those that are not, according to the World Economic Forum.
The majority (90%) of executives who participated in WEF’s Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2024 survey indicated that immediate action is necessary to tackle the increasing cyber inequity, especially as emerging technologies, such as generative artificial intelligence, will only intensify existing cybersecurity issues.
The gap in cyber resources, skills and talent is expanding rapidly, and remains the biggest challenge for companies when developing resistance against cyber attacks, the report revealed, as 71% of organizations have vacant cybersecurity roles.
“We know that cyber threats will continue to be one of the greatest risks for the upcoming decade, fueling this global need for more cybersecurity professionals,” said Erin Baudo Felter, vice president of social impact and sustainability at Okta, a San Francisco-based identity and access management company, in an emailed statement. “But the demand is outpacing the supply,” she added.
Factors like unclear career pathways, outdated training programs and expensive certifications are detering individuals from seeking a career in cybersecurity.