Cybersecurity upskilling is not just an investment in your employees, it’s an investment in your company’s growth

Graham Thompson   ·   Monday, April 3rd, 2023

The cybersecurity landscape is constantly evolving, and the demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals is at an all-time high. The reality is that many companies struggle to fill open cybersecurity positions due to a lack of qualified candidates. This skills gap can be attributed to a number of factors, including the rapid pace of technological change, the complexity of modern cybersecurity threats, and a shortage of experienced cybersecurity professionals.

To address this skills gap, many companies are turning to upskilling programs to develop the skills of their existing employees and fill open cybersecurity positions. Upskilling is the process of providing training and development opportunities to employees to enhance their skills and abilities. By investing in upskilling programs, companies create a pipeline of skilled cybersecurity professionals and mitigate the skills gap.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) conducted a study that found that upskilling programs are effective in addressing the cybersecurity skills gap. The study found that employees who participated in upskilling programs had a better understanding of cybersecurity principles and were better able to apply those principles in their work.

According to a report by Burning Glass Technologies, upskilling programs help organizations fill cybersecurity positions more quickly and at a lower cost than hiring new employees. The report found that the time to fill a cybersecurity position was 12% shorter for candidates with cybersecurity skills acquired through upskilling programs, and the cost to fill a cybersecurity position was 15% lower for these candidates.

Here are some of the key benefits of upskilling programs for filling open cybersecurity positions:

Improved Recruitment and Retention

Upskilling programs help companies attract and retain talented employees by offering them opportunities to develop their skills and advance their careers. By investing in their employees’ professional development, companies demonstrate their commitment to employee growth and development, which boosts employee engagement and loyalty. This helps companies retain their top talent and attract new candidates who are looking for opportunities to learn and grow.

Cost-Effective Solution

Hiring new cybersecurity professionals is expensive and time-consuming. By investing in upskilling programs, companies save money on recruitment costs and fill open cybersecurity positions more quickly and efficiently. Rather than recruiting new talent, companies can develop the skills of their existing employees, who are already familiar with the company culture and operations.

Enhanced Cybersecurity Capabilities

Upskilling programs can help employees develop the skills and knowledge necessary to address the latest cybersecurity threats and technologies. By investing in upskilling programs, companies can ensure that their employees are equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to protect the company from cyberattacks. This can enhance the overall cybersecurity capabilities of the organization and reduce the risk of cyber threats.

According to a study by the International Information System Security Certification Consortium (ISC)², upskilling and reskilling has proven to help organizations fill the cybersecurity skills gap. The study found that 72% of organizations that provide training and professional development for their cybersecurity staff report that their cybersecurity teams are better able to secure their organizations’ data and systems.

Increased Flexibility

Upskilling programs help employees develop a broad range of skills and knowledge, which makes them more flexible and adaptable in their roles. By providing employees with opportunities to develop new skills, companies can prepare them for new roles and responsibilities within the organization. This makes it easier for companies to fill open cybersecurity positions and adapt to changing business needs.

Improved Collaboration and Communication

Upskilling programs help employees develop the soft skills necessary to effectively collaborate and communicate with others in the organization. Cybersecurity professionals must work closely with other departments within the organization to ensure that security protocols are followed and that the company is protected from cyber threats. By developing employees’ soft skills, companies enhance collaboration and communication within the organization, which can improve overall cybersecurity.

A stronger workforce is a more resilient company

A study conducted by the Ponemon Institute in 2019 found that companies that provided employees with cybersecurity training and awareness programs experienced fewer cybersecurity incidents and lower overall costs associated with cyber attacks compared to companies that did not provide such training. The study surveyed 2,300 IT and IT security professionals from around the world and found that 60% of organizations that provided regular training and awareness programs experienced fewer cyber incidents, compared to only 45% of organizations that did not provide such training.

Intrinsec Security – A trusted partner in upskilling program creation and delivery

At Intrinsec Security, we have created and developed customized upskilling programs for government agencies and highly-regulated Fortune 500 financial firms. These programs have ranged from a week to multiple weeks as a complete upskilling bootcamp.

We can develop a customized upskilling program based on your particular needs, or we can assemble a program using authorized content from our partners. Delivery can be performed on-line or in person in your offices. Consult our team training page for more information.

Conclusion

In conclusion, upskilling programs offer a cost-effective and efficient solution to the skills gap in the cybersecurity industry. By investing in upskilling programs, companies can develop the skills of their existing employees, attract and retain talented professionals, enhance cybersecurity capabilities, increase flexibility, and improve collaboration and communication within the organization. Upskilling is not just an investment in employees, it’s an investment in the growth and success of the entire organization.