Solving the problem of the cyber security skills gap

A few months back, sitting at a talk Offshore Europe, we attended a session on cyber security where each one of the speakers cited the skills gap as the number 1 issue for their companies. In fact, despite the UK’s cybersecurity sector being worth over $5 billion and widely regarded as the largest in Europe, the country suffers from a real (and growing) scarcity of talent.

At that point, at The Techforce Cyber, we decided to do something about this problem. We made a commitment to support a handful of individuals achieve their CompTIA Security+ qualification; an essential requirement for people looking to begin a career in IT security.

Dozens of would-be cyber security professionals submitted a minute-long video, via YouTube, that explained why they would benefit from this qualification. The five best entries were then selected by judges representing The TechForce, Robert Gordon University (RGU) and Elevator.

The two leading entries, submitted by Fiona Davidson and Navya Iyengar, will benefit from full funding towards the cost of their exam, on receipt of proof of their qualification, up until the end of March 2020.

Meanwhile the other three finalists – Beata Tetkowska, Kiersten Robinson and Niven Tanzer, will each receive a 50 per-cent contribution.

In addition, during 2019, The TechForce has unveiled details of a new partnership with RGU, which will see the company sponsors a series of regular, on-campus discussions exploring key security issues with leading experts. Over 2020 we will hold sessions on Cybersecurity and Industrial Control Systems, Cybersecurity and the Cloud as well as the Cybersecurity implications for Smart Metres.

Finally, we have shown our support to the cause of education presenting to the students at Porthlethen Academy on the 2nd of December, and we will be with the Aberdeen University students during the Scottish Cyber Week in February.

Jai Aenugu, managing director at The TechForce, said: “We are pleased to have been able to create these pathways in 2019, to help people kick-start their career in cyber security, which will hopefully give them a head start in what is fast becoming a very competitive industry''.

If your company wants to get involved in supporting the next generation of talent, give us a call, there might be synergies that we could attain together for the greater good of closing the skills gap.