Massive Cybersecurity Talent Deficit Puts SMB in a Bad Spot

Small businesses are in a challenging position: there is an existing talent deficit threatening continued growth and the continuation of a hard-to-solve problem. In the United States, there are currently almost 500,000 job openings in cybersecurity alone. That’s a lot! The openings reflect a massive cybersecurity talent deficit that threatens the growth and security of small businesses across the nation.

How did we get here?

Let’s take a look. Small businesses historically underspend in cybersecurity, which demands significant increases in spending year over year for enterprises. Now, the cost of acquiring cyber pros is heading to an unattainable status due to current market conditions.

With roughly 465,000 open positions available in cybersecurity as of May 2021 (source), the demand for cyber pro talent far outweighs the supply of eligible individuals, leading to a very competitive job market that leaves employers with little leverage on whom they can hire. In addition, many qualified recent college grads are opting to utilize their freshly acquired tech skills in careers outside of cybersecurity .

Meanwhile, the need for cybersecurity talent within organizations is only growing. With ransomware attacks on the rise and often affecting big-name organizations e.g.. Marriott, Twitter, and Barnes & Nobles, to name a few), organizations are often not able to hire the needed cyber pro talent in time to prevent ransomware attacks. So while the talent deficit shows no signs of a solution, the demand for cybersecurity prevention experts is growing by the day. Cyber Attackers, long known as opportunists, are taking advantage of this growing problem to target vulnerable organizations that are without the proper cybersecurity force in place.

What does this mean for up-and-coming cyber pros?

If you have an interest in cybersecurity, now is your time. The demand for cyber pros spans from government agencies to private businesses. You no longer need to be an MIT grad to be considered–a desire to work hard, to obtain proper certifications, and to pick up proper training will now quickly get your foot in the door at most organizations. Many of the job openings can be found in states such as Florida, Virginia, Texas, and California. If you are an aspiring cyber pro looking for work, it’s a great time to be in the job market. If you are considering a career change, considering a switch to a job in cybersecurity is a brilliant move in the current climate.

How can we (PK Tech) help?

At PK Tech, we’re able to help our technicians build up their skill sets and become cyber pros, and we also provide SMBs access to cybersecurity resources they otherwise will not be able to afford or find.

Are you interested in a career in cybersecurity or do you need a cyber pro to help secure your business? Reach out to PK Tech.