BT Security to hire 900 cyber staff in ISC(2) deal

ISC(2) has joined forces with BT Security to provide training via the Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP) and BT Security Academy Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certifications.

The collaboration comes after BT Security’s announcement in April that it intends to employ 900 security staff. BT said in its statement that it is trying to protect governments, businesses and consumers from the rising dangers of cyber crime.

The agreement allows BT key suppliers, security employees, and new recruits to take ISC(2) professional certifications.

In the ISC(2) Global Information Security Workforce Study, it was found that 44% of hiring managers are finding it difficult to meet hiring requirements, while 62% recognise that their companies are suffering from a shortage of security professionals. The study predicts that, by 2020, a worldwide shortfall in 1.5 million trained cyber security professionals will exist.

BT Security Academy chief, Rob Partridge, said:

“We are pleased to be offering this opportunity as part of our ambitious goal to help meet the need for more skilled cyber-security professionals. We are seeing desire from the companies and consumers we serve for reassurance and leadership in cyber-security which will be delivered through the talent we develop.”

There are likely to be more security professionals in the future, with cyber-savvy students recognising a gap in the market. In the meantime, UK firms, in order to protect themselves, should be pulling out all of the stops. They need to be creating and filling cyber security jobs with those who have the skills that could potentially save their business in the event of an attack.