The 2021 (ISC)² Cybersecurity Workforce Study revealed that the global cybersecurity workforce gap is 2.72 million. This is the number of jobs within the industry that are necessary to fill to defend critical assets. With so many cybersecurity organizations looking to fill positions, you may think to yourself, “Is cybersecurity a good industry to enter?” or “What are the pathways to cybersecurity?” and “Where would I find a cybersecurity job?” Cybersecurity Workers are Satisfied and Well-Compensated This year’s Cybersecurity Workforce Study showed that 77% of cybersecurity professionals are satisfied or extremely satisfied in their current role compared to only 49% of overall American workers, according to a recent study from Zippia. Cybersecurity professionals are passionate about keeping information secure and

Global C-suite executives are confident in their organizations’ preparedness to handle a ransomware attack, according to a newly published (ISC)² ransomware study titled, “Ransomware in the C-Suite: What Cybersecurity Leaders Need to Know About What Executives Need to Hear.” Although confident, C-suite executives express a strong willingness to invest in technology and staff to improve defenses—signaling that now is an opportune time for cybersecurity leaders to proactively address their organizational readiness with the executive team. In response to several high-profile cyberattacks this year, (ISC)2 commissioned a survey of 750 C-level executives across the United States and the United Kingdom to provide cybersecurity professionals with deeper insights into how C-suite executives perceive their organizations’ readiness for ransomware. This data underscores the

(ISC)² is now accepting applications for its 2022 Women's Cybersecurity Scholarships, Undergraduate Cybersecurity Scholarships and Graduate Cybersecurity Scholarships. More than $100,000 in scholarships will be awarded in 2022. Applicants are evaluated based on academic excellence, passion for the industry and financial need. They are reviewed by volunteer (ISC)² members. If you are a member interested in participating and earning CPE credits, send an email to center@isc2.org. These scholarships are part of an effort to bridge the cybersecurity workforce gap—which stands at 2.72 million needed professionals—by providing future cybersecurity professionals across the globe with scholarships to prepare them for a rewarding career in this important field. “Supporting young talent with their educational studies is one of many methods to widen the pipeline of

To fill the cybersecurity workforce gap, we need to address the workforce shortage facing the industry, especially among entry- and junior-level positions. Creating an entry-level certification will help encourage new professionals to begin a cybersecurity career. After surveying cybersecurity experts on the most important domains, or subject matter areas, for new professionals, we have published the preliminary exam outline for the upcoming entry-level cybersecurity certification pilot program. This exam outline will allow the pilot program candidates to know which subjects they should be familiar with prior to taking the exam. Since this is an exam pilot program, topics are subject to change based on further evaluation once the pilot is complete. “There is demand in our industry for a certification

The global cybersecurity skills gap narrowed over the past year, from 3.1 million to 2.7 million people, and job satisfaction got a substantial boost, according to the newly-published 2021 (ISC)2 Cybersecurity Workforce Study. The narrower skills gap reflects an increase in people joining the field, the study found. “For 2021, our study estimates there are 4.19 million cybersecurity professionals worldwide, which is an increase of more than 700,000 compared to last year.” However, the gap in Asia-Pacific (APAC) was reduced by 500,000 this year, overshadowing the increased deficits in all other regions where the gap has actually increased. Roughly one-third of the survey respondents indicated that a shortage in cybersecurity team members has led to real world impacts, including misconfigured