The cyber security skills gap has long plagued the industry, and new data from Hiscox shows it's only worsening. As cyber threats grow increasingly sophisticated, security teams face mounting pressures to keep up. In a report published in late October 2024, Hiscox revealed that over a third of UK businesses lack the expertise needed to manage evolving cyber risks. Shockingly, 34% of these businesses feel unprepared for cyber-attacks, while a significant 70% reported a surge in attacks this year alone.
Despite the rapid adoption of advanced technologies like AI, this skills deficit leaves organisations highly vulnerable to breaches, potentially damaging reputations and impacting customer trust. Integrity360’s CTO, Richard Ford, stresses the importance of blending security with innovation to enhance resilience. Emerging security solutions, such as Integrity360’s Managed Continuous Threat Exposure Management (CTEM) as a service, help bridge this gap by offloading critical security operations like ongoing threat monitoring and incident response to MSSPs, alleviating pressure on in-house teams.
The skills gap is far from limited to the UK. In Ireland, a 2024 report from Morgan McKinley highlighted that 25% of security hiring managers struggled to find qualified candidates this year. Cyber Ireland’s latest industry snapshot echoes these challenges, revealing that job postings for cyber security roles tripled from 2021 to 2024, with over 6,700 roles now posted. Addressing this shortfall means adding 1,000 cyber security professionals annually, aiming for 17,000 by 2030 to meet the sector’s demands
Elsewhere, Italy’s need for cyber security talent grew by 25% in 2024, with shortages especially acute in cloud and IoT security. Demand from heavily regulated sectors like finance and healthcare underscores the urgency, as EU regulations such as DORA and NIS 2 require organisations to bolster their security frameworks. In Spain, projections indicate a need for 83,000 cyber security professionals by year-end due to rising threats and regulatory pressures. The Nordic countries face a particularly daunting gap, with an estimated 300,000 professionals required across the region
Bridging this global skills gap will require collaborative initiatives between governments, education providers, and the private sector, while MSSPs like Integrity360 play a vital role in supporting organisations during this critical period.
The cybersecurity industry faces a pressing skills shortage, and traditional recruitment often falls short of delivering the specialised talent businesses need. CyberConnect360 steps in to bridge this gap by connecting organisations with rigorously vetted IT security experts.
Unlike conventional staffing, CyberConnect360 taps into Integrity360’s network of seasoned security professionals, ensuring only those with proven technical competencies and relevant certifications reach clients. CyberConnect360’s thorough candidate assessments focus not just on technical abilities but on cultural fit and project-specific skills. This precision means companies can confidently secure professionals who not only understand their technical requirements but also align with their strategic goals.
Tailored expertise:
By working directly with hiring managers, CyberConnect360 profiles and sources candidates precisely suited to the role, avoiding the mismatches common in general recruitment.In this way, CyberConnect360 is not merely filling roles but enabling organisations to strengthen their security postures with skilled professionals, effectively closing the skills gap for impactful, resilient cybersecurity.