(ISC)² Blog

Workforce Study: Most Cyber Workers Started Their Careers Elsewhere

Unlike doctors or engineers, most cybersecurity professionals didn’t set out to work in their chosen field. In fact, more than half started their careers elsewhere and eventually made the move to cybersecurity. But once they make the move, most decide to stay. Nearly two thirds of cybersecurity professionals (65%) intend to stay in the field until they retire, thanks to high demand for their skills and the challenging nature of the work, according to the (ISC)2 Cybersecurity Workforce Study, 2019. The desire to stay indicates most are finding fulfillment in the field, even if working in cybersecurity wasn’t their original... Read more →

Some Cyber Roles are Overstaffed While Others Are Understaffed

As organizations struggle to staff their cybersecurity teams, new (ISC)2 research reveals they also may be suffering from an imbalance in the distribution of team member roles. Positions that currently appear overstaffed include compliance, forensics and operational technology security while jobs in security operations, security administration and risk management seem to be understaffed. This creates a need for CISOs and cybersecurity managers to take a close look at their teams and figure out what adjustments to make. Keeping too many people in certain roles while understaffing other positions potentially makes it harder for an organization to build and maintain effective... Read more →

Strategies for Building a Cybersecurity Dream Team

As organizations struggle to fill cybersecurity vacancies due to a worldwide shortage of 4 million professionals, they should consider implementing strategies to attract qualified candidates and prevent experienced staff from leaving. The (ISC)2 Cybersecurity Workforce Study 2019 lays out four strategies organizations should consider: Address cybersecurity team members’ needs with training and career development opportunities. Properly set internal expectations about applicant qualifications to widen the search for candidates as much as possible. Target recent college graduates and workers with degrees relevant to cybersecurity. Grow your cybersecurity team from within with further development and cross-training opportunities. All of these strategies are... Read more →

Help Wanted: Cybersecurity Workers

On November 1, 2019 CNBC’s Nightly Business Report featured the growing need for qualified cybersecurity workers in their “Help Wanted” segment. The (ISC)2 Cybersecurity Workforce Study, 2019 served as the foundation of this story, which pointed to the newly reported shortage of 4 million trained cybersecurity professionals worldwide. Cybersecurity analyst Mandi Ingersoll of TDI Security, a cybersecurity firm in Washington, D.C., began her career in cybersecurity in the U.S. Navy. She chose to stay in the field after retiring from military service. “It’s interesting because it’s always something new.” TDI’s CEO, Paul Innella, CISSP-ISSMP says the firm has had trouble... Read more →

(ISC)² Estimates Cybersecurity Workforce at 2.8 million

The cybersecurity industry in the United States and 10 other major global economies currently employs 2.8 million professionals. But the industry continues to struggle with a significant workforce shortage, and it would take another 4 million professionals to close the gap. That would mean an increase of 145% cybersecurity workers, according to the findings of the (ISC)² Cybersecurity Workforce Study 2019. The study, released this week, represents the first estimate of how many people are employed in cybersecurity. Countries covered by the study are the U.S., U.K., Canada, Germany, France, Australia, Singapore, Brazil, Mexico, Japan and South Korea. According to... Read more →

Filling the Need of Healthcare Cybersecurity Professionals Requires Collaboration

It is widely known within the cybersecurity field that there is a severe talent shortage. Organizations across all industries are facing major challenges in staffing their security teams to protect themselves from cyber threats. Healthcare, along with finance and retail, is one of the most commonly-targeted industries by cybercriminals. As the (ISC)2 Cybersecurity Workforce Study revealed, the deficit of cybersecurity professionals has reached critical levels, at nearly 3 million worldwide. According to the March 2018 McAfee Labs Threat Report, healthcare is the most targeted of any sector for cybersecurity attacks. Ransomware attacks, specifically in the healthcare sector, increased by 210... Read more →

Update: New (ISC)² Official Training Provider S4 Inc.

Earlier this week, S4 Inc. announced that it has been added to (ISC)²’s roster of Official Training Providers. Based in Colorado Springs, S4 is celebrating its 20th anniversary and has supported US Government, DoD and DHS agencies since 1999. S4 is now offering its first official (ISC)² Training Seminar for the CISSP certification beginning on September 30th, 2019. Other instructor-led training seminars will also be available later this year for the CCSP, CSSLP and CAP certifications. If you’re in the local area, you can register here. S4 will also host an open house this Friday, September 20, at its 8800... Read more →

Looking to Break into Cybersecurity Without Direct Experience? Find Out How

The cybersecurity skills gap means companies are scrambling to fill security positions, and that presents an opportunity for you to find security work – even without direct experience. Faced with a critical shortage of qualified candidates, organizations are increasingly taking chances on nontraditional applicants and training them for security roles. One way to bridge a cybersecurity experience gap and get started? Make the case for your transferable skills. Success in security requires a mix of technical and soft skills. These can potentially come from ANY previous job. Analytical skills, enthusiasm for exploring technical questions and issues, and diagnostic experience will... Read more →

CISSPs: We Need Your Insight

Thank you for your feedback! We have concluded the process of receiving feedback as of October 4, 2019. (ISC)² regularly conducts Job Task Analysis (JTA) studies to review and update the content outline (or exam blueprint) of its credentialing examinations. A JTA is the methodical process used to determine tasks that are performed by credential holders and knowledge and skills required to perform those tasks successfully. Results of the JTA study link a candidate’s examination score directly to the domain knowledge being tested. The existing exam blueprint for CISSP will be reviewed in early 2020. In preparation for the upcoming... Read more →

VMware Acquisitions Highlight the Importance of DevSecOps

In the digital age, security can no longer be an afterthought. As organizations modernize their IT environments through digital transformation initiatives, it’s become more critical than ever to bake security into new applications from the start. Virtualization giant VMware recognizes this new reality, which explains why it has decided to acquire two companies that give the company a stronger foothold in digital transformation and cybersecurity. One of the companies, Pivotal Software, brings to VMware a platform for developing applications in the cloud. The other, Carbon Black, has a cloud-native endpoint protection platform that ensures this is done securely. Together, the... Read more →

CCSP and CCSK: Which Cloud Security Credential Is Right For You?

Two of the industry’s most highly regarded cloud security credentials are the CCSP from (ISC)² and the CCSK from Cloud Security Alliance (CSA). Both offer a comprehensive education on cloud security fundamentals, but there are important differences. Here’s a quick breakdown of each. CCSP (Certified Cloud Security Professional). The CCSP is for IT and information security leaders seeking to prove their understanding of cybersecurity and securing critical assets in the cloud. It shows you have the advanced technical skills and knowledge to design, manage and secure data, applications and infrastructure in the cloud. Roles that typically require a CCSP include... Read more →

IT Professionals: Use the Security Skills Shortage to Your Advantage

A cybersecurity skills shortage is expected to result in 3.5 million unfilled positions by 2021. Research from ESG finds 51% of organizations believe they have a “problematic shortage” of cybersecurity skills – an increase of 7% year-over-year. Clearly, the skills gap is a serious problem, impacting an organization’s ability to keep up with software vulnerabilities, harden devices, respond to security issues quickly and strategically manage security in an ever-evolving threat landscape. With the odds stacked against them, businesses must find new ways to recruit and retain skilled security employees and proactively address the lack of talent to fill critical roles.... Read more →

Salaries for Cybersecurity Chiefs Soar

As the cybersecurity skills shortage intensifies, cyber professionals have become the target of stiff competition among recruiters and employers. Compensation and benefits packages are becoming increasingly generous, essentially giving jobseekers the chance to write their own ticket. Compensation packages have exceeded $6 million at some large technology companies, according to a recent Bloomberg article. Such packages typically involve mostly stock but even so, they prove that it definitely pays to be in the cybersecurity field. Even the direct charges of top security officers are commanding salaries in the $1 million range, according to Bloomberg. The reasons for these bloated pay... Read more →

3 Pro Tips for Moving from IT to Security

Already have a background in IT? Here are three tips for moving toward a more security-focused role. Take a cue from Goldilocks: Go after the industry certification that’s “just right.” This entails pursuing a credential that helps augment technical skills with security practices. Many choose the SSCP for its balance between the foundational and technical. SSCP allows you to prove a technical understanding without having to seek a more entry-level certification. Change your perspective to layer security into the work you’re already doing. Moving from IT to security is a natural evolution. Once you’ve gained the requisite knowledge and put... Read more →

SSCP vs. CISSP Exams: How are they different?

You’re considering a cybersecurity certification and the SSCP and CISSP are both on your list. After comparing the material, you’re thinking there’s a good bit of overlap between the two. But is there, really? And if you sit for one exam would you be able to sit for the other without additional study or preparation? These are excellent questions. In fact, we hear them a lot. And the reality is, there ARE commonalities, which is true for most things in the field. However, these two certifications are wholly different and were developed from two distinct perspectives. In many ways, the... Read more →

Why You Should Consider A Security Certification (and why now is the time)

By Mike Wills, CISSP, SSCP Let’s face it: Opportunity goes to the well-prepared. And living in dangerous and dynamic times, each of us needs to be so much better prepared to face tomorrow than we were today. We’re all at risk. Everything we value, everyone we hold dear are held hostage to the badly misinformed decisions of the well-intended; are targets of opportunities to those with malice at heart. Those people, the “bad guys,” the black hats, are already outspending most legitimate businesses and organizations when it comes to investing in their knowledge, skills and abilities to attack. The right... Read more →

Commit. Plan. Succeed.

With half the year already in the rearview, it’s a great time to reflect on your goals. Is achieving the CISSP, CCSP, SSCP or another elite (ISC)² certification part of your plans? If so, do you have a winning strategy in place? Here are three tips to help you get – and stay – on track as you pursue next steps. Set an exam date. Registering now can keep you motivated and focused on your certification goals. And the sooner you pass the exam, the sooner you’ll prove your cybersecurity expertise to employers and peers! Develop a study plan. Work... Read more →

Additional Recognition for Cybersecurity Certifications

Following the signing of a Multilateral Recognition Arrangement (MLA) signed last year that confirms the American National Standards Institute’s (ANSI) standing as an internationally respected accrediting body with rigorous standards, all nine (ISC)² cybersecurity certifications are now recognized by the International Accreditation Forum (IAF). The MLA applies to IAF accrediting bodies, including ANSI, and shows that the organizations they accredit all meet the same rigorous standards. According to a press release issued by ANSI, “Regional Accreditation Group members of IAF are admitted to the IAF MLA only after a most stringent evaluation of their operations by a peer evaluation team... Read more →

Going for (ISC)² Certification? Get the facts before you choose a training provider.

Whether you’re going for CISSP, SSCP, CCSP or another elite (ISC)² certification, the training route is an excellent way to prepare. (ISC)² certifications are highly regarded in the cybersecurity industry, and countless training companies offer exam prep for them. With so many options, it can be unnecessarily hard to make the right choice. Often, we think the more choices we have, the better. But too many cybersecurity training options have created confusion and led to false claims that border on unethical as companies compete for your business. When it comes to assertions trainer providers make about their courses for our... Read more →

Building a Strong Culture of Security – from the Professional Development Institute

(ISC)²’s Professional Development Institute (PDI) launched earlier this year and aims to provide valuable, accessible education and training to cybersecurity professionals. One of the PDI courses currently available is Building a Strong Culture of Security. Like all PDI courses, it is free for (ISC)² members and associates, and available for purchase at $400 for the general public. Technology alone cannot protect an organization. It takes knowledgeable and aware team members to each do their part in ensuring critical assets are protected, and that goes beyond the security team. This self-paced, interactive course is intended for use by security professionals as... Read more →