Recruiting & Maintaining Top Cybersecurity TalentWe’ve all heard it before: the cybersecurity industry is suffering from a lack of skilled professionals. Unfortunately, demand for top cybersecurity talent is at an all-time high and is expected to continue rising.
To attract the industry’s best and brightest, we must do our part to keep up with the ever-evolving IT and security landscape. It’s our duty to help support current professionals and provide assistance to those looking to enter the field. Stop waiting for the perfect candidate to knock on your door and start adopting new methods of attracting and retaining top talent. Here are 5 ways your company can start today:
- Engage Entry-Level Talent
There is a stigma around hiring college graduates and young professionals for the fear that they are not qualified for the job. However, cybersecurity graduates are now some of the most skilled professionals in the game. Universities have recently started offering advanced cybersecurity programs and even offer certification programs focused on specified topic areas. Young professionals are eager to get involved and have a greater understanding of the current IT and security arena. So the next time you receive a resume from an ‘entry-level’ applicant, think twice before tossing it aside. In fact, even organizations like (ISC)2 offer Associate programs where young professionals who may not meet the requisite work experience can take exams such as CISSP (among others) and demonstrate knowledge.
2) Offer Growth & Development Opportunities
The security industry is hectic. With new technologies being introduced every day, it’s hard to keep up with the changes they bring. Offering educational programming opportunities and paying for your employees to attend skills clinics or conferences is essential to retaining and building top talent. Not only is this attractive to current and prospective employees, but it will positively impact your organization and its clients.
3) Establish Yourself as a Thought Leader
To attract the best, you need to be the best. If you have employees or board members that are making outstanding contributions within the community, speaking at industry events or attending conferences, make it known. Positioning your company as a thought leader and highlighting the projects you’re working on will bring you one step closer to attracting top professionals whose values and experience align with yours.
4) Foster a Culture of Security
Cybersecurity is necessary, no matter what industry you’re in. Cybersecurity professionals play a highly important and sought out role in the success of every organization. (ISC)2 revealed that 68 percent of cybersecurity professionals want assurance that their opinions will be taken seriously. Companies need to showcase their commitment to helping build a cyber-centric culture and practicing cyber safety, for the benefit of themselves, the organization and the security professional.
5) Get Creative
The way your company advertises its job positions is critical. While high salaries may lure candidates upfront, there are many other factors that influence their ultimate decision. Clearly defining the role of a position and avoiding general descriptions will attract highly skilled cybersecurity professionals and reduce the amount of unqualified applicants. Don’t be afraid to get creative. Seek out top talent by advertising on social media platforms such as Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter, sharing opportunities with industry magazines and outlets, or spreading the word at networking events.
