The previous post highlighted the implications about the lack of critical thinking in organizations today on the Cybersecurity front. The current post emphasizes on addressing this skills gap.
The threat of cyber-attacks looms large over computer networks. A successful cyber-attack on the key services of a nation could have a shattering effect and create mayhem in its economy. It is these consequences which makes Cyber-attacks a threat as serious as terrorism or other security challenges of the same magnitude. A report, jointly published in July 2013 by McAfee and the Center for Strategic and International Studies put the cost of cyber-crime and cyber espionage in the U.S. at $100 billion a year. After gauging the magnitude, President Obama has called cyber security as “one of the most serious economic and national security threats” the U.S. faces.
In order to prevent such a calamitous attack organizations must address the cyber security skills gap issue that hinders its capacity to defend such evolving threats urgently.
According to the Boardroom Cyber Watch 2013 report published by IT Governance, most senior executives name their employees as being the number one threat to corporate data. Now in the age of Digital media, every employee has the capacity to be the face of his or her employer. Creating awareness, and addressing skill gaps will help in developing and deploying an effective cyber security risk management strategy that incorporates people, processes and technology. Therefore, senior managers responsible for developing this strategy and defining how it can be achieved may consider developing their knowledge and skills by having a Cyber Security training course in place. Once a clear strategy is in place, it will be easier to address the remaining skill gaps.
Keys to Effective Cyber Security:
Organizations must undertake appropriate measures and strictly adhere to them to prevent cyber-crime. The following pointers are keys to cyber security.
- Invest Wisely: Expensive technology is not necessarily the best technology to safeguard business information.
- Adjust or Succumb: Every threat that an organization deters today will lead to a new threat in the future.
- Self Defense: Organizations must assess their positions thoroughly and have proper safety measures in place to protect vital information.
- No fixed limits: The organizations data is always under the scanner and there are no fixed limits as to when and where the data could be vulnerable.
Cyber Security: A Career Option
A US high-tech developer of job market technologies, Burning Glass, recently reported a huge and rising demand for cyber security professionals. With the dependence upon the internet, this revelation doesn’t come as a shock. With the availability and flexibility of technology, there arises an opportunity for diversified cyber threats.
Burning Glass also processed data from more than 22,000 online job sites and reported that the demand for cyber security jobs rose 73% from 2008 to 2012. They also believe that this trend is set to continue. The National Institute of Standards & Technology estimated that the US will need a staggering 700,000 new cyber security professionals by 2015.
Time to Act
Cyber security is critical for all. It affects individuals, organizations and governments. It is time for organizations to act and close the Cyber security skills gap. It will help assure customers, regulators and other stakeholders and will place the organization ahead of their competitors on this front.
According to the HBGary report, investing in cyber security can be meaningful long-term investment as:
“More than 70% of investors are interested in reviewing public company cyber security practices and almost 80% would likely not consider investing in a company with a history of attacks.”
