Why the Skills Gap in IT Security Might Get Wider
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Why the Skills Gap in IT Security Might Get Wider
Schools aren't adequately preparing young adults, particularly females in that age group, to pursue cyber-security careers, new research shows. -
Knowledge Gap
Globally, 47% of men say they are aware of the job responsibilities involved in cyber-security careers, compared with only 33% of women. In the U.S., the gap is larger: 51% of men and 33% of women know what a cyber-security career entails. -
No Guidance
Globally, 62% of men and 75% of women said no secondary or high school computer classes offered the skills to help them pursue a cyber-security career. In the U.S., 57% of men and 74% of women said schools did not offer the skills needed. -
Low Awareness
Globally, 57% of men and 66% of women said no teacher or career counselor mentioned cyber-security as a career. In the U.S., 55% of men, versus 69% of women said teachers and career counselors never mentioned cyber-security as a career. -
No Qualifications
Globally, 25% of women and 23% of men said they haven’t sought out cyber-security programs because they did not think they were qualified. In the U.S., 33% of women felt they were not qualified versus 24% of men. -
Career Choices
Globally, men are more likely (33%) than women (24%) to consider cyber-security as a career than they were a year ago. In the U.S., the gap is wider, with 40% of men and 23% of women choosing security as a career. -
Gender Gap Widens
The gap between U.S. young men and women who would consider a career in Internet security is five times what it was a year ago. -
Lack of Programs
Globally, 52% of women and 39% of men said no cyber-security programs or activities were available to them. -
Bright Spot
28% of young adults globally are more likely to choose a career in cyber-security versus one year ago, while 16% are less likely. -
No Interest
Of those who are less likely to pursue cyber-security jobs, 25% of females and 17% of males cited a lack of interest as the reason. In the U.S., the gap is higher: 36% of females, versus 12% of males. -
Making a Difference or Making Money
50% of global respondents said believing in their employers' missions is important to them, and 63% said salary is important. -
More Info Needed
38% of millennials globally and 41% of millennials in the U.S. would like more information on what a cyber-security career entails. -
Preconceived Barriers
Global respondents cited stress (21%) and the futility of fighting inevitable cyber-attacks (21%) as downsides of cyber-security careers. Other negatives included boring job tasks (18%) and inadequate salaries (15%).
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Why Metrics Matter to the Channel Despite growing demand for cyber-security professionals, a global survey of 3,871 young adults indicates a significant talent gap ahead. The survey, commissioned by Raytheon and the National Cyber Security Alliance, uncovers some startling news that could spell trouble for businesses seeking talent to keep their companies safe from cyber-attacks. The annual study, Securing Our Future: Closing the Cyber Talent Gap, indicates that schools are not preparing young adults for cyber-security jobs, and the gap is even wider when it comes to females being informed about careers in the field. These findings are a wake-up call for needed collaboration among businesses, the government and education. "There will be serious implications for the world's security, safety and economic stability if we don't figure out how to foster a cyber-security workforce capable of protecting our information from increasingly harmful cyber-threats," said Jack Harrington, vice president of cyber-security and special missions for Raytheon's Intelligence, Information and Services business. Here are 12 reasons businesses should worry about a lack of security talent.
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