Cloud Security Architect Proves Hardest Infosec Role to Fill

A new survey investigating cybersecurity talent trends revealed 68% of organizations struggle to recruit, hire, and retain practitioners with the expertise they need. More than three-quarters (76%) say the lack of skilled security pros is creating new risks across their organizations.

Seventy-three percent of people surveyed report at least one security incident affecting their organization in the past year was a "direct result" of a lack of skilled security professionals. Nearly half (47%) report as many as three of these incidents in the past 12 months.  

Cloud security architects are the hardest positions to fill, with half of respondents reporting difficulty in finding them. Security architects are also among the top three (37%). Researchers attribute the high demand for these skills to the ongoing changes in business networks, which are growing more complex as organizations operate dynamic clouds and prioritize securing their environments. It's not only advanced practitioners who are tough to find: 43% struggle to find entry-level security administrators, the second most challenging role to fill.

Certifications can help candidates stand out: 82% of respondents prefer to hire candidates with security certifications. More than 80% had earned certifications; 85% report others on their team are certified. When asked why they prefer certified hires, respondents say it validates their cybersecurity knowledge (56%), gives them confidence the new hires will perform duties better (52%), and indicates they can keep up with the changing security landscape (40%).

Read more details in Fortinet's blog post.

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