Greater Cybersecurity in the Time of Rising COVID-19

To say that 2020 has been a unique and challenging year would be quite an understatement. The events of this year have seen countless businesses shut down, either temporarily or permanently. Workers have either been laid off or at least had hours reduced. In this environment, it is hard to imagine there is a surge in the need for new workers, but in at least one industry that has been the case: cybersecurity.

The demand for cybersecurity professionals saw a jump while COVID-19 cases spiked globally. In fact, across the US, demand increased 65%, and a recent report sponsored by Herjavec Group predicts that by 2021 there will be 3.5 million cybersecurity jobs needing to be filled. Kurt John, Chief Security Officer at Siemens USA stated in an interview that “It’s impossible to overstate our need for human talent.”

This is great news for those wishing to enter the cybersecurity industry, as there are presently exceptional opportunities even for those seeking entry-level jobs. Worth noting is the fact that IT workers with security certifications can earn about 15% more than those without. Additionally, the training market is extremely competitive, meaning easier access to valuable programs.

The Outlook for Employers

It’s an unfortunate fact that for many businesses today, it is simply a matter of time before they experience a cyberattack or some other incident. As a result, it is vital for companies to invest in the necessary cybersecurity, which includes the right staff.

This raises the question of whether it is best to maintain an internal cybersecurity staff or outsource. The answer will vary depending on the size and needs of your company, but you may find that outsourcing is more cost-effective. Here are some considerations to keep in mind when evaluating your needs:

• Creative thinking is sometimes more important than formal education. A background in cybersecurity or computer science is obviously a good thing, but sometimes those who enter cybersecurity from another field bring another point of view and creative thinking that can be highly beneficial.
• Staff augmentation might be a good alternative. Even if you choose to outsource your security, having someone on-site can be beneficial and creates a good middle ground between outsourcing and hiring internally.
• Specialized candidates should be balanced with generalists. There is any number of certified specializations in cybersecurity, but don’t overlook the generalists who need to be able to work with all of your systems. Specialists can tackle bigger issues as they arise.
• Look for self-starters. Many candidates will wait to be told which certifications they should choose, but you would be well served to find those who can determine their own course of development based on the needs of your business.
• Automation can be used to handle the repetitive tasks that would otherwise eat up an inordinate amount of your team’s time. This will allow a smaller team to manage the workload rather than requiring a larger group of employees just to keep up.

When all is said and done, the most important thing is to invest the time necessary to find the right people for the job. Though it may prove challenging, it will pay off in the results. 

Every business should assume they have either been attacked, are being attacked, or will be attacked. Fast detection and swift response are the small business owner’s only defense.

You can access my Free Ebook=> “WHAT’S AT STAKE FOR YOUR BUSINESS?” 

So, if you’re ready to put the right security in place. Contact me, I have traveled the globe Identifying security threats in Companies. I can help give your business a peace of mind as you move into the digital revolution. There’s no risk to talk with us about your business and you can stop the process any time.  But if you let us look under the hood, we’ll help you discover any potential problems before they impact your business or take your data. If everything looks good, we’ll tell you. However, if we discover symptoms of a growing threat, we’ll help you check them out to make sure you’re not exposed to catastrophic failure.

 To Learn More About Cyber Security => Safe Harbour.