Uncovering the Elusive Cybersecurity Unicorns: Why They’re So Hard to Find
In the fast-paced world of technology, cybersecurity threats are unfortunately all too common. From data breaches to hacks, no organization is completely immune from the ever-evolving cyber threat landscape. To combat these threats, organizations often turn to highly skilled cybersecurity professionals commonly referred to as “unicorns” due to their rarity and diversity of skills.
But why are these cybersecurity unicorns so hard to find? Let’s dive in to uncover the reasons behind this elusive search and explore potential solutions.
The Challenge of Identifying Unicorns
The search for a cybersecurity unicorn starts with identifying the right qualities for the position. Organizations often seek individuals who possess a diverse range of skills, including network architecture, incident response, and compliance, along with specialization in areas such as cloud security or threat intelligence. This broad range of skills is required to tackle the diverse challenges presented in the cybersecurity realm.
However, identifying individuals who possess all of these skills can be a daunting task. It’s not just about finding someone with the right skillset or certifications, but also finding someone who can work well in a team, communicate clearly, and adapt to rapidly changing situations. These soft skills can be difficult to identify during the recruitment process, making finding unicorns even more challenging.
The Talent Shortage
Even if an organization is able to identify the right qualities for a cybersecurity unicorn, the supply of talented individuals with these skills is limited. The rapidly evolving nature of cybersecurity means that these professionals need to stay up-to-date with the latest threat vectors, and continuously learn and adapt to new technologies and trends. This is a daunting task for many individuals, leading to a talent shortage in the industry.
According to a report released by Cybersecurity Ventures, there will be a shortage of 3.5 million cybersecurity professionals worldwide by 2021. This makes the search for unicorns even more challenging, with high demand for a limited number of skilled professionals.
Solutions to Finding Unicorns
While finding unicorns may seem like an impossible task, there are several solutions that organizations can consider. One solution is to focus on upskilling their current employees. By investing in training programs and promoting a culture of continuous learning, organizations can develop their own unicorns, who understand the unique needs of their organization, and have the necessary soft skills to work within their teams.
Another solution is to focus on diversity and inclusion. The field of cybersecurity has traditionally been male-dominated, and expanding the pool of talent by promoting diversity can help tap into a previously untapped source of skilled professionals.
Finally, organizations can expand their search beyond traditional recruitment methods, by leveraging social media, industry events, and online message boards to identify talented individuals who may not be actively looking for a new role.
Conclusion
The search for cybersecurity unicorns is challenging, but not impossible. Identifying the right qualities and expanding the pool of talent can help organizations find the right fit for their needs. By investing in upskilling and promoting a culture of continuous learning, promoting diversity and inclusion, and expanding recruitment methods, organizations can find the right cybersecurity professionals to tackle the ever-evolving threat landscape.
