New research released by Emsi, a national labor analytics firm, reveals that the US has less than half of the cybersecurity candidates it needs to keep up with ever-intensifying demand. The research says the answer to this challenge is a Build (Don’t Buy) strategy.

Other key findings from the research:

• Cybersecurity demand is twice as great as supply
• Major cybersecurity markets are hurting the most
• Washington, DC leads the way in cybersecurity demand
• Companies need to develop cybersecurity talent by retraining IT, finance, and business operations roles
• Domain expertise and local industry needs also shape regional cyber demand
• To solve the cybersecurity shortage companies should recruit from within

“Cybersecurity is one of the vital new professions that grows exponentially and surprises everyone,” said Josh Bersin, Global Industry Analyst. “As this research points out, Cyber is not only a new, multi-disciplinary career, it also demands a constellation of skills – making it critical for companies to develop this expertise internally as well as search externally.”

“The cybersecurity crisis presents major opportunities for all: an opportunity for companies to save jobs while meeting real needs, an opportunity for workers to unlock the next level in their careers and an opportunity for regions to coordinate innovative programs that meet the needs of both," said Dr. Yustina Saleh, SVP of Analytics. “The research from Build (Don’t Buy) provides clear evidence that collaboration is key. Together, employers, workforce development organizations and higher ed institutions can develop workers with the necessary skills and close the talent gap in this vital cybersecurity industry.”

“Emerging jobs like cybersecurity roles are typically tough to deal with. They are new, fast changing, and it takes time to build the right programs to fill the demand. With our findings and the more skills-based approach we have developed here, we think learning providers and businesses can now accelerate their approach to filling cyber-gaps,” said Rob Sentz, chief innovation officer.

To learn more about the paper visit https://www.economicmodeling.com/cybersecurity/