Cybersecurity labor force expands worldwide, though faces lingering deficit of 4 million employees
The Biden administration is taking proactive steps to address the growing cybersecurity workforce gap, particularly focusing on training and education for underrepresented groups such as women and people of colour, due to significant barriers to entry in the industry.
In 2023, the global cybersecurity workforce reached a record high of 5.5 million people. However, the workforce gap has increased by 13% above levels seen in 2022, with the industry needing an additional 9.5 million qualified workers to adequately safeguard digital assets worldwide.
To bridge this gap, the administration has launched several initiatives. These measures include promoting the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) skill development and cybersecurity training programs, funding retraining programs for individuals displaced by AI-related automation, and encouraging the development and enhancement of cybersecurity curricula across educational institutions.
The administration is also supporting public-private partnerships and incentives, such as guidance from the Treasury allowing employers to offer tax-free reimbursement for cybersecurity and AI literacy upskilling programs. This stimulates private-sector workforce investment, ensuring that the industry has the necessary skilled workforce.
In addition, the administration is maintaining federal agency commitments to advanced cybersecurity practices, such as zero-trust architectures, which require skilled professionals to implement and manage effectively. The administration is also focusing on accelerating AI adoption while preparing a workforce capable of developing and operating national AI infrastructure, closely linked to cybersecurity skills development.
Despite these efforts, the cybersecurity industry continues to face a record gap of 4 million industry professionals. Employers have traditionally been reluctant to hire entry-level and junior-level workers, but the trend of hiring based on non-technical skills is starting to change.
Three-quarters of industry professionals find the current threat landscape the most challenging in the last five years. This challenge is exacerbated by emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and the rising use of cloud computing, making the skills gap harder to fill.
In response to the economic uncertainty, including high inflation, a short-term banking crisis, and fears of a recession, some cybersecurity firms have been forced to freeze new hires or even slash jobs. Companies like SentinelOne and Dragos have announced workforce reductions in August and June respectively.
Aspiring cyber professionals who can demonstrate knowledge in relevant areas are in a better position to land a job in cybersecurity. The White House's initiatives, with their emphasis on training, reskilling, and educational integration, aim to empower American workers and close the cybersecurity skill gap.
- To further address the growing cybersecurity workforce gap and its link to emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, the Biden administration is focusing on accelerating AI adoption and developing a workforce capable of operating national AI infrastructure, with a close emphasis on cybersecurity skills.
- As the cybersecurity industry continues to face a record gap of 4 million professionals, the administration's initiatives, such as retraining programs and the integration of AI skill development with cybersecurity training, aim to empower American workers with the necessary skills to land jobs in this field.
