While most workers in the US and UK have a positive view of cybersecurity professionals , few say they are considering a career in the industry, according to a new survey conducted by (ISC)2 . The certification firm surveyed 2,500 workers in the US and UK to gauge how people perceive cybersecurity and the professionals who work in the industry in 2020.
According to the survey, perceptions of those working in the cybersecurity industry are generally positive. Specifically, 71% said they consider security “smart, skilled and technically skilled individuals,” while 51% described them as “good guys who fight cybercrime.
However, it is particularly striking that very few of the workers who participated in the survey would like to pursue a career in cybersecurity. For example, 69% of respondents said they are not in this job, although they admitted that it seems like a good option. This is due to the fact that individuals believe that a career in cybersecurity requires a significant investment of time and money in education and acquiring technical knowledge.
About 61% of survey participants believe they would need more education or certification before getting a job in the industry, while 32% of participants believe it requires a lot of expertise and training, while many (mainly women) claimed that it seems like a "very daunting" field of work.
These perceptions may have been formed in part because most (77%) respondents have never been exposed to the subject of cybersecurity, either through curriculum . Most (68%) said their view of the industry is shaped by what they see on TV shows and movies (37%) or by “coverage” of security incidents in the news (31%).
The survey results come at a time when many are considering a career change. In addition, attributes such as job stability (61%), flexible working (57%) and earning potential (56%) , all of which are available in security roles, are now priorities for respondents.
Perceptions of cybersecurity are particularly important, as with an estimated global shortage of over four million professionals, there is a significant recruitment effort needed in the industry. However, many of the negative perceptions respondents held hold true. For example, employers still rely heavily on certifications and prior experience when selecting candidates.
A big challenge will be changing perceptions among younger professionals: “Generation Y” respondents were less likely to view cybersecurity professionals positively.
According to (ISC)2 COO Wesley Simpson, a truly effective cyber workforce requires a diverse range of professionals with different skills on teams . Simpson added that while technical skills are crucial for many roles, people with diverse backgrounds in areas such as communications, risk management, legal, regulatory compliance and process development are also needed to provide a holistic perspective on cyber defense.
