Hiring and retaining quality cybersecurity talent is harder than ever. According to the 2022 Cybersecurity Workforce Study, there is a 3.4 million global shortage of cybersecurity professionals.
This blog explores the challenges businesses face due to the cybersecurity talent shortage and how they can effectively maintain application security in the face of limited resources. It will also cover alternative solutions for filling the talent gap, such as leveraging automated mobile app security tools to boost development efficiency and productivity.
The cybersecurity talent gap can cause many challenges for companies, including:
The cybersecurity talent gap exists for several reasons. These include high standards for beginners, inefficient and ineffective security awareness training, and restricting security to the final development stage.
Many employers have unrealistic expectations for entry-level and junior employees just starting their careers. For example, they may demand that entry-level hires possess certifications like Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) and Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).
Obtaining these certifications usually requires at least five years of work experience. They are also expensive and difficult to pass on the first attempt. Consequently, individuals who hold these certifications are unlikely to apply for entry-level positions. These high standards have discouraged many aspiring cybersecurity professionals from starting their careers in this field.
Companies often upskill and reskill computer programmers to fill the cybersecurity talent gap. Unfortunately, many training programs consist of annual speeches, uninspiring PowerPoint presentations, and online multiple-choice quizzes. Due to the lack of engagement, staff may struggle to comprehend the implications of not prioritizing security. This, in turn, discourages them from prioritizing security awareness training over development, resulting in software with security gaps.
Even if a company’s security awareness training is engaging and enjoyable, computer programmers are focused on designing, coding, testing, releasing, and maintaining apps and software, not cybersecurity. Computer programmers are especially unlikely to focus on cybersecurity if their companies restrict security to the final development stage. By then, the team is already exhausted from the development process and is unlikely to put much time and effort into security. In these circumstances, the risk of releasing easily exploitable software and apps is high.
The traditional way of bridging the talent gap in cybersecurity is to offer high salaries and comprehensive benefits. However, this can be expensive and time-consuming, especially for small companies with limited funds. Here are some cost-effective alternatives for filling the talent gap and enhancing development efficiency.
First, companies should leverage DevSecOps, an approach to automation, culture, and platform design that builds security into software development and IT operations processes. DevSecOps addresses the talent gap by:
Another way to fill the cybersecurity talent gap is by leveraging automated cybersecurity tools for application protection. These apps have the required cybersecurity expertise built into them, reducing the need for additional cybersecurity talent and reskilling/upskilling programs.
The right automated mobile app security tool should:
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