Page 37 - Cyber Defense eMagazine April 2021 Edition

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The Youth Movement Could Help

Think, too, of hiring younger professionals. The new-collar approach isn’t
the only novel idea that’s been gaining ground in the past few years. Many
organizations have been hiring up-and-coming talent because it can pay off in the future.
By 2025, millennials will comprise 75% of the global labor force. Further, more than 70%
of the ethical hacker community is younger than 30. Therefore, organizations should
tap into this community – and Gen Z’ers, too – to build their cybersecurity workforce.
Interestingly, the National Security Agency (N.S.A.) has been training kids to wipe out
cybercriminals since 2014. Last summer, through a program called GenCyber, the N.S.A.
ran 122 across-the-country cybersecurity camps called Camp Cryptobot, which were jointly
funded by N.S.A and the National Science Foundation. The purpose of the free camps is to
help generate interest in cybersecurity careers and generate a future pipeline of cyber workers.
The Girl Scouts are also joining the cause: Security company Pala Alto Networks and the Girl Scouts of
the USA joined efforts in 2017 to deliver the first-of-its kind Cybersecurity badge for girls in grades K-12.
The message is loud and clear: to stem the cybersecurity shortage of today,
companies need to look to, and possibly invest in, the cybersecurity professionals of tomorrow.

AI, ML and Hands-On Help, Too

And in the day of all-things digital, another method of tackling the skills gap is to invest more heavi-
ly in technology that includes artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML) and behavioral analytics.
ML supports things like behavioral analytics and detects threats buried inside
interrelated data. AI discovers threats and delivers insights into their origins. In fact,
AI-powered security technology can help organizations improve their security posture by detect-
ing ongoing or impending attacks, especially when security personnel are scarce or overburdened.
However, relying too much on ML and AI can create a false sense of security. This is why some
organizations reach out to external experienced professionals for help. For instance, some
cybersecurity solutions offer a hands-on team that virtually monitors security alerts around the clock to
provide a human element to an automated process. Others rely on a security operations center (SOC)
to monitor and analyze their security posture and respond to cybersecurity incidents on their behalf.

Creativity is Needed to Bridge the Talent Gap

The ongoing and increasing cybersecurity skills shortage leaves room for
untold vulnerabilities. Companies worldwide are four million cybersecurity
professionals shy of filling the positions they need. Until then, it’s time to think outside the box.
Cybercriminals are always upping their game, so organizations must do the same.

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