How can we make cyber security a more attractive industry to capture and retain diverse talent?
We all have a responsibility in the industry to attract and retain a more diverse range of talent and build the cyber skills of the future. There are great initiatives towards this objective, such as CyberDay4Girls, CyberFirst, Women in Security, SaluteMyJob (re-training veterans), P-TECH and Open P-TECH. What other initiatives should be implemented today to fill the job vacancies of tomorrow?
Growing up I never imagined I would now have a career in cyber security. I suspect that’s true for a lot of us, but the opportunities that this industry offers are vast and exciting. There is an estimated global cyber security skills gap of 4.07 million vacancies, as reported by the (ISC)2 Cybersecurity Workforce Study 2019, so we need to consider how we open up this opportunity to people, just like me, who never imagined a career in cyber security.
Eight years ago, I took the plunge and joined IBM Security, using transferrable skills in business management, delivery management and sales. Whilst I had a background in Information Technology, I didn’t have a background in cyber. The skillset I had was welcomed with open arms and, from there, I used my passion for learning and grew my knowledge and understanding of security.
Today, everyone needs to be more open about considering employing people from diverse backgrounds and allowing them the opportunity to bring their diverse, unique experiences and outlook to this industry. There needs to be a mindset change from both us, as potential recruiters, and from potential candidates, if we are going to fill the skills gap. So how can we open up opportunities?
Working in partnership with SaluteMyJob, IBM offer free courses for ex-military veterans to retrain them in cybersecurity by delivering training courses on QRadar, I2, cyber security fundamentals and dedicated pathways. To date, 500+ veterans have been trained via this program.
With the objective of empowering employees and attracting talent, IBM created WISE “Women in Security Excelling”, an internal group focused on education, mentoring, youth and industry outreach.
IBM has also partnered with Protection Group International (PGI), who launched its Women in Cyber programme, a career conversion initiative aimed at retraining women from various (and often non-technical) backgrounds, for a career in the cyber security industry, four of whom are now thriving within IBM.
There are other angles which can and should be considered too. Neurodiversity has come to the fore more recently, IBM is driving a global series of programmes around this area. In December last year IBM UK launched targeted hiring programmes for those with Neurodiverse challenges and specific hiring for cyber roles.
Perhaps we also need to get people to really question why they wouldn’t consider a career in cybersecurity. They should review the skills they have and consider those that are transferrable to the cyber industry, such as strong communication skills, problem solving, relationship building, team working and adaptability. The other more technical skills needed can be learnt. By doing that we could bring more diversity to the industry.
We also need to focus on growing awareness of cyber careers in the younger generations, as a way to ensure a steady flow of diverse people joining the industry in the longer term. They need to see Cyber as a future career path in the same way they would view “Accountant, Architect or Lawyer” as potential career options. Within IBM there are great initiatives in place for school age children and young adults such as the following:
- CyberDay4 Girls: A global IBM initiative which aims to promote cybersecurity as a career option for secondary school girls (11-15 years). IBM volunteers deliver workshops, where girls learn how to protect their online identities, are introduced to the Internet of Things, engage in activities such as basic threat modelling and have an opportunity to hear from experts about what it is like to work in the security industry.
- P-TECH: Programme in schools to enable students aged 14-20 yrs with cybersecurity pathways and other skills, to be work-ready.
- Open P-TECH: Free open digital learning platform for young people, including cybersecurity courses with industry-recognised badges.
- CyberFirst: IBM is a partner for the NCSC CyberFirst programme, aiming to identify and develop future UK cybersecurity professionals (ages 11-17 year olds)
To summarise, we all need to do our best to help people retrain, look at how to attract diverse backgrounds, and focus on awareness and education within the younger generations.
What other initiatives are being implemented or should be implemented today to fill the current vacancies and those of tomorrow?
Dan Patefield
Dan Patefield
Dan leads the techUK Cyber Security programme, having originally joined techUK in August 2017 as a Programme Manager working across the Cyber and Defence programmes. He is responsible for managing techUK's work across the cyber security eco-system, bringing industry together with key stakeholders across the public and private sectors. Dan also provides the industry secretariat for the Cyber Growth Partnership, the industry and Governmnet conduit for supporting growth across the sector. A key focus of his work is to strengthen the public-private partnership across cyber security to support further development of UK cyber security policy.
Before joining techUK he worked as Forum Lead for the Westminster eForum. In this role he had a focus on the technology and telecoms space, on issues ranging from Broadband and Mobile Infrastructure, the Internet of Things, Cyber Security, Data and diversity in tech. Dan has a BA in History from the University of Liverpool.
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Jill Broom
Jill Broom
Jill is techUK’s Programme Manager for Cyber Security, working across the cyber eco-system to bring industry together with key stakeholders across the public and private sectors.
Prior to focusing in on techUK's cyber security work, Jill was also part of techUK's Central Government programme team, representing the supplier community of technology products and services to Whitehall departments.
Before joining techUK, Jill worked as a Senior Caseworker for an MP, advocating for local communities, businesses and individuals, so she is particularly committed to techUK’s vision of harnessing the power of technology to improve people’s lives. Jill is also an experienced editorial professional and has delivered copyediting and writing services for public-body and SME clients as well as publishers.
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- @honeybroom
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- www.techuk.org
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- https://www.linkedin.com/in/jill-broom-19aa824
Annie Collings
Annie Collings
Annie joined techUK as the Programme Manager for Cyber Security and Central Government in September 2023.
Prior to joining techUK, Annie worked as an Account Manager at PLMR Healthcomms, a specialist healthcare agency providing public affairs support to a wide range of medical technology clients. Annie also spent time as an Intern in an MPs constituency office and as an Intern at the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed.
Annie graduated from Nottingham Trent University, where she was an active member of the lacrosse society.
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- https://www.linkedin.com/in/annie-collings-270150158/