Exclusive Networks // Sustainability Report 2022
Attracting and retaining talent Cybersecurity – a sector with a severe skills shortage
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Attracting and retaining talent
4.1
Cybersecurity – a sector with a severe skills shortage
While cyber threats continue to increase in number and become more sophisticated, the cybersecurity industry is suffering from a severe skills shortage. Exclusive Networks Group estimates that three million positions are currently vacant at the global level. There are several reasons for this: technology has advanced at such a rapid pace that the necessary qualifications are struggling to keep up. This has been exacerbated by the Covid pandem, which pushed companies to accelerate their digital transformation: in Europe, it is estimated that the demand for cybersecurity professionals increased by 22% in 2021; insufficient alignment between the education system and the expectations of the labour market: at present, the schools that provide IT courses do not cover the full range of skills sought by employers, so the new generation is not yet prepared; employers also have a role to play in moving away from unrealistic expectations and niche job descriptions, which eliminate excellent candidates from the process who could be assets to the company. For example, prioritising computer science and technology degrees in the job requirements fails
to account for people with both technical and non technical skills that can be easily upskilled into this profession. In addition to looking for already qualified profiles, building on people’s potential is another way to expand opportunities; the pressure on many employees, combined with the shortage of staff, has led to burnout with many people leaving the profession, which has made the shortage worse. More than one third of cybersecurity employees are exploring new careers. With a shortage of qualified professionals, salaries are rising, increasing corporate spending in an already uncertain economy. On a global scale, steps are being taken to address the cybersecurity skills shortage: in the UK, for example, the government has launched a €50 million cyber-school to support the training of cyber-experts. New schools and training courses dedicated to cybersecurity are also being created in France and in other countries. In this difficult industry context, in order to have the human resources that will allow the Exclusive Networks Group to continue its development, the key policies and programmes implemented by the Human Resources Department focus on commitment, recognition, attrition, talent retention and the employer brand.
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Exclusive Networks
Sustainability Report 2022
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