Bad news: The cybersecurity skills crisis is about to get even worse

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Nearly a third of the cybersecurity workforce is planning to leave the industry in the near future, new research suggests, leaving organizations in a troubling position as the threat landscape evolves “at an alarming rate”.

Cybersecurity firm Trellix commissioned a survey of 1,000 cybersecurity professionals globally and found that 30% are planning to change professions within two or more years. Organizations are already facing cybersecurity skills shortages, with not enough people having the skills and qualifications required to keep IT systems secure from breaches and other security threats.

Adding more fuel to the fire, organizations face a growing threat from cyber criminals and nation-state hackers, whose attacks are growing “in volume and sophistication”.

Trellix’s survey found that 85% of organizations report that a workforce shortage is impacting their ability to secure their IT systems and networks.

As for cybersecurity workers themselves, those who plan on leaving the profession are doing so because they feel underappreciated and unable to grow in their roles. A lack of clear career path (35%), a lack of social recognition (31%) and limited support to develop their skills (25%) were cited as the top three frustrations pushing security workers to quit. Other reasons spurring a move away from cybersecurity were: professionals feeling they had accomplished all they had wanted from their roles; burnout; and not being satisfied with their salaries.

SEE: Cybersecurity burnout is real. And it’s going to be a problem for all of us

Organizations recognized that support for the development of skills (85%) and certifications (80%) were highly important factors for the industry to address to expand the workforce. Efforts to promote cybersecurity careers (43%), encouraging students to pursue STEM-related careers (41%), and further funding support (39%) were ranked among the top ways to attract more people into cybersecurity jobs.

Meanwhile, more than nine in 10 (94%) cybersecurity professionals feel that employers could be doing more to encourage community mentoring programs with a presence in K-12 schools.