Cybersecurity – the need, demand, and talent crunch
Pause for a minute…and think about all the things you do on your phone, tablet, or laptop – the sites you visit, the social media you engage with, the pictures you share with friends and family, the assignments you submit, or the banking you do. The advancements and reliance on technology has increased the level of cyber risk that people, and organizations are facing.
No company or individual with an online presence is immune to attacks from criminals who try to steal money and identity, and disrupt business continuity. In fact, ransomware attacks, where malicious actors encrypt files that make systems unusable and then demand ransom in exchange for decryption, are becoming more common. A recent (May 07, 2021) cyberattack on the Colonial Pipeline, the largest pipeline system for refined oil products in the U.S., resulted in a shutdown of all of pipeline’s operations. The pipeline carries fuel from Houston to New York, its halting had serious implications for this critical infrastructure that provides basic services, and also for national security.
Cybersecurity is about the constant pursuit to protect systems that we rely on, such as healthcare, finance and banking, telecommunications, energy and utilities, and transportation. The demand for digital talent remains high. An estimated 19 million Canadians have been affected by data breaches since November 2018, underscoring the importance of Cybersecurity Specialists who help secure information systems. The global cybersecurity workforce shortage is projected to reach 1.8 million unfilled positions by 2022, and in Canada, the number of jobs for cybersecurity professionals is growing by 7% every year. Cybersecurity Analysts are among the top 15 most in-demand digital occupations.
At VCC, we are helping fill this gap by providing training to those who want to step up to a career in network security by leveraging their prior education or experience in IT. The new Network Security Advanced Certificate, launching in January 2022, provides essential skills for a career in information systems security, including network analysis, architecture, forensics, and defence.
Over 28 million Canadians were affected by data breaches in a one year period (2018-2019) according to numbers released by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada. The global cybersecurity workforce shortage is projected to reach 1.8 million unfilled positions by 2022, and in Canada, the number of jobs for cybersecurity professionals is growing by 7% every year (The Changing Faces of Cybersecurity, Deloitte). ICTC’s Canada’s Growth Currency: Digital Talent Outlook 2023 identified Cybersecurity Analysts as among the top 15 most in-demand digital occupations.
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