Cyber Skills Shortage: The Solution You May Not Have Thought Of

Organisations are undoubtedly facing increasingly complex challenges when it comes to cybersecurity. These challenges not only threaten your operations but your revenue, reputation and in extreme circumstances – the safety of your people.   

We consistently hear how cyber challenges are affecting organisations. However, what is not focused on enough is the difficulties to hire cyber experts who can sufficiently support organisations throughout their cyber journey.  

So, finding the right person/ people to be qualified who work well with your organisation and won’t move on to a better offer is a growing problem for businesses, as when folks move on they take with them an intimate understanding of your business and its challenges.  

The premium salaries of these individuals can be a challenge for some organisations. The demand for these skilled individuals is an additional challenge, with AustCyber predicting the severe shortage of these cyber experts could reach 17,000 vacancies by 2026.  

What’s The Solution?  

Third-party security managers are a viable solution for this growing issue. Engaging with an external cyber partner is becoming an increasingly attractive solution for many organisations for the reasons below.  

No More HR Worries  

As we’ve touched on above, the skills shortage will continue to grow in severity. Organisations not only have to worry about a skills shortage but because of said shortage, must worry their best and brightest could be poached to work for someone else, or worse – potentially your competitors.  

With the support of a cyber partner, a dedicated security manager will be allocated to your organisation. Who will integrate seamlessly with your business, work with your team and understand your business like an internal team member. A great partnered organisation won’t feel like a third-party, but one of your own.  

The knowledge that you and your human resources team don’t have to worry about cyber turnover anymore is an added comfort to engaging with your chosen cyber partner.  

An Entire Team on Your Side  

Having a dedicated cyber security manager who understands your people, processes and technology is an invaluable asset during this challenging time. Additionally, to this asset – your organisation can tap into a team of highly experienced security professionals and the wider external organisation. Your security manager and the entire organisation are well-versed in latest trends, technology and best practices.  

Possessing access to this resource means you don’t need build a team around a dedicated security manager, it’s inbuilt for you by utilising the wider organisation.  

The Strategy, Not Just the Person 

Once a security strategy aligned with your business objectives is created, the engagement transitions to implementation. This phase encompasses diverse activities, such as evaluating your existing security tools and recommendations surrounding around a cost-effective, risk-oriented assessment. Your security manager should support and direct aligning with compliance requirements from Essential Eight, ISO 27001, NIST, and more. 

Their approach should hinge on tailoring bespoke solutions that improve your cyber security posture and in turn support your business for today’s cyber-conscious economy. The security manager serves as the anchor in this endeavour, orchestrating a robust and holistic strategy that safeguards your business against modern threats while improving your overall resilience for a cyber-secure tomorrow.  

Summary 

• The cyber skills shortage in Australia is a growing issue and will continue to present challenges to organisations such as; high staff turnover due to poaching/ better offers, soaring salaries and lack of talent entering the market.  

• Utilising a third-party security manager to support/ manage or create a team is a valuable solution.  

• External cyber partners implement not only 1 security manage to support your organisation, behind them is entire security company ready to assist and support. Giving you access to resources and knowledge otherwise unreachable.  

Waterstons has 25+ years' experience across the UK and Australia preparing and protection organisations from cyber threats. We are committed to assisting all organisations to stay agile and prepared in today’s cyber conscious economy.   

Empower your organisation today, get in touch with one of our team members.  

info@waterstons.com.au l 02 9160 8430