Key findings from the 2024 ISC2 Cybersecurity Workforce Study

According to the 2024 ISC2 Cybersecurity Workforce Study, the global shortage of Cybersecurity professionals continues, with an estimated 4 million vacancies worldwide.

Key findings:

1. Respondents don’t believe their Cybersecurity teams have sufficient numbers or the right range of skills to meet their goals. Due to staff and budget reductions, almost 60% of respondents agree that skills gaps have significantly impacted their ability to secure their organizations;
2. Participants’ pathways to enter the cybersecurity workforce are changing, as are their priorities. They increasingly prioritize work-life balance and entrants to the field continue to trend older (39- to 49-year-olds);
3. Diverse backgrounds can help solve the talent gap. While IT is the traditional path into cybersecurity, more and more entrants come from different backgrounds or verticals;
4. The expected advancements of AI will change the way respondents view their skills shortage, with AI likely to replace some technical skills. As a result, hiring managers are prioritizing nontechnical transferrable skills like problem-solving;
5. Two-thirds of Cyber professionals are confident that Gen AI will not replace their role;
6. 45% of Cybersecurity teams have implemented Gen AI to bridge skills gaps and improve threat detection. Meanwhile, 64% of respondent organizations have implemented Gen AI in other departments, causing more work for cyber professionals;
7. Nearly half of respondents report that their organizations currently lack a clear Gen AI strategy, although 90% of respondents have some about it. More work is needed to develop a strategy and regulations for safe and responsible use.

Access the full study.

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