Cyber security skills shortage is a real issue, says workforce firm

With the TalkTalk hack still in recent memory, workforce solutions company Gibbs S3 has fired a warning that a shortage of cyber security professionals is a big issue for businesses.

In just this year, we have seen the IRS, Harvard University, TalkTalk, and Ashley Madison all fall foul of advanced cyber attacks.

Gibbs S3 Founder and CEO Farida Gibbs said that the variety and seriousness of cyber threats, combined with a shortage of cyber professionals, has resulted in most UK banks being left fighting an uphill battle.

She added:

“This issue is compounded by the fact that standing still is not an option – firms need to be far more proactive in beefing up their digital defences as the hackers who are looking to get in are constantly evolving and mutating their attacks.”

The situation isn’t limited to larger firms.

A recent KPMG study found that the majority (70%) of SMEs are not doing nearly enough in protecting client data. The lack of ability in small businesses to protect themselves against cyber criminals s resulting in them seeing significant losses in revenue.

The skills shortage is an issue that has been around for some time now. However, the recent spate of attacks that large profile companies have been subjected to will hopefully act as enough of a wakeup call. Companies are not in a position to address a skills shortage, but they certainly can be more proactive when it comes to IT security recruitment.