88% of Aussie IT leaders facing cyber skills shortage
Nearly nine in 10 (88%) IT decision-makers in Australia are facing a cybersecurity skills shortage in their organisations, a new survey from Intel Security indicates.
Australia had the highest cybersecurity skills gap recorded among the eight countries included in the study, but was not far beyond the global average of 82%.
Nearly half (44%) of Australian organisations responding to the survey felt that this talent shortfall was making them vulnerable to attackers, and 27% said they have lost proprietary data already due to this gap.
The most scarce and therefore sought after skills among Australian organisations were technical skills in intrusion detection (87%), software development (81%) and attack mitigation (76%).
While more than half of Australian organisations look for a bachelor’s degree as a minimum requirement for security professionals, hands-on experience was considered a far superior way to acquire cybersecurity skills than earning a degree. And only one in four say that education programs fully prepare professionals for the industry.
“The skills shortage is clearly having an impact on companies across Australia. Nearly half of those that we spoke to feel exposed to hackers and a third have already lost data to cyberattacks,” Sydney-based Intel Security Solution Architect Andy Hurren commented.
“It’s a clear issue affecting our industry and whilst the shortage is well known, this report helps to shine a spotlight on just what it means to our local businesses. Every day we are seeing seats go unfilled due to the shortage and we must rectify this.”
He said Intel Security welcomes the Australian Government’s investment into education, as well as the recent appointment of Dan Tehan as Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Cyber Security.
Australia shares the lead with the US among the eight countries in terms of the percentage of respondents who feel that their national cybersecurity laws and regulations are effective.
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