The report, based on feedback from over 1,800 professionals, highlights a growing number of challenges, including the complexity of the threat landscape, limited budgets and insufficient staffing, all of which contribute to heightened stress levels across the industry. Cybersecurity professionals are facing increasing levels of stress, with 66% reporting that their roles have become more demanding over the past five years, according to a report from ISACA. “The complexity of cybersecurity threats is one of the most significant stressors for professionals,” said Chris Dimitriadis, ISACA’s chief global strategy officer. Despite the increasing threat landscape, cybersecurity budgets remain strained, with more than half of respondents (51%) worried their cybersecurity departments are underfunded — a rise from 47% in 2023. The survey also underscored the difficulty of retaining qualified cybersecurity professionals, with 55% of respondents reporting issues in keeping talent. These escalating threats have left many cybersecurity teams feeling unprepared, with only 40% of professionals confident in their ability to detect and respond to cyber incidents. While 73% of employers prioritize hands-on experience in new hires, 51% reported soft skills are the main area where candidates fall short, and 42% of respondents pointed to a lack of cloud computing expertise. He pointed to the importance of integrating cybersecurity into digital transformation projects from the outset, allowing professionals to be proactive rather than reactive. Conducting compensation studies and providing clear career development paths are also essential to keeping cybersecurity teams engaged. The report also highlighted ongoing staffing challenges: 57% of organizations reported being understaffed, but hiring has slowed, with 38% of organizations having no open positions, compared to 35% last year. He pointed out that cybersecurity can contribute to business continuity, compliance and customer trust — factors that should be leveraged to secure better funding. To improve retention, Dimitriadis suggested that companies ensure their cybersecurity efforts are properly recognized.
This Cyber News was published on securityboulevard.com. Publication date: Wed, 02 Oct 2024 08:13:10 +0000