Last month, we attended the Gartner conference in Barcelona to learn about what 2019 holds for our IT candidates and clients. One topic that particularly grabbed our attention was cybersecurity. Business interest in cybersecurity (and cybersecurity professionals) is exploding, yet many IT professionals searching for their next IT position in the UK are missing out – something that we, at Evolution, want to change.
Cybersecurity is becoming popular in a big way. Finally, the profession is receiving the attention it deserves by businesses and senior executives. But why the change?
GDPR has increased the rights and protection of customers when it comes to handling, retaining and distributing their data. Companies must comply, and customers are aware.
Advancements in technology increase everyone’s exposure to security risks. Cloud-based services, the Internet of Things, centralisation and ecosystems all increase exposure, weaknesses and the need for protection.
The use of machine learning to identify suspicious activity is increasing the suspicious activity being uncovered. Skilled cybersecurity IT professionals are needed to interpret and augment the mounting results.
In today’s digital world, reputation is very easily and quickly damaged. Companies simply don’t want the fall out that follows a serious security breach.
Protection for customers, staff and profits. Thanks to high-profile media attention, businesses are very aware of what happens to companies when cybersecurity goes wrong. For example, following the $350 million discount that Yahoo sold at because of its data breach, and the CEO, CIO and CSO data breach job losses at Equifax – no one wants to make the same costly mistakes.
They’re hiring. At Evolution, we’re seeing a huge demand for IT security professionals in the UK, particularly financial cybersecurity professionals. Businesses now understand the value that cybersecurity IT candidates bring to business goals, customer protection and corporate reputation, and they want to hire in a big way.
Quietly. The vast increase in cybersecurity jobs in the UK has led to a skills shortage. An estimated 3.4 million jobs are expected by 2022, and companies are already facing an average of six to nine months to fill cybersecurity positions.
Supply is outstripping demand. If you’re looking for the next step in your IT career, now is the time to take advantage of the diverse job opportunities, attractive salaries and rewarding benefits that are on offer.
Whether you’re looking to develop a new career in cybersecurity or take the next step on your existing cybersecurity career path, there are plenty of cybersecurity specialist roles available.
Currently, we’re seeing a demand for cybersecurity analysts, security engineers, vulnerability analysts, cyber threat analysts, risk assurance, information security and cybersecurity managers.
Cybersecurity departments require IT candidates with the latest knowledge and skills. In particular, we’re advising IT candidates to brush up on, and highlight on their CV, the following competencies:
On top of these competencies, skillsets in AI, digital security and the IoT are increasingly in demand.
Cybersecurity is an emerging field, and we expect to see plenty of new roles created in 2019, but more on that next month. In the meantime, if you’re ready to take advantage of the cybersecurity boom, get in touch with one of our IT recruitment specialists today.
