3 Million cybersecurity jobs? Who, what, where, when, why + how?

[j_M007]

Hello information security, cyber security and what ever other kind of security professionals and acolytes. I've lately seen a number quoted of 3 million "cyber security" jobs going wanting 

• Where does this statistic come from?
• Are there initiatives in various countries FVEYs or others to fill the gap?
• What is the breakdown of resources needed: for example, cryptanalysts, pen testers, architects, engineers, technicians, etc.?
• Is ISC^2 able to provide some clarity or direction in the matter?

Many of these questions and many others of this type could be addressed in an FAQ or by (ISC)^2 initiatives in information security awareness.

Thanks all for elucidating me on the subject!

[SamanthaO_isc2]

Hello @j_M007, 

Thanks for asking about this!  Our team recently published an article on the study methodology on the (ISC)² blog about this. You can find the entire article here, but below is the part that helps to shed some light on the number. 

What Does the Gap Mean?

Our research does not propose there are 2.93 million cybersecurity job postings open right now. The (ISC)² Cybersecurity Workforce Study gap is an assessment of the demand for skilled cyber professionals based on the input from the cybersecurity workforce on the front lines every day. But what does this actually mean to the workforce?

Globally 37% of professionals stated the lack of skilled/experienced cybersecurity personnel was their top job concern. Additionally, 63% of respondents said their organizations have a shortage of staff dedicated to cybersecurity, and 60% said their organizations were at a moderate or extreme risk of cyberattacks due to that shortage.

Our industry is painfully aware of the challenges that organizations face when staffing qualified cyber teams, and the purpose of finding and sharing the gap is not to shout that the sky is falling, but rather build awareness of the need for talent and training, and advocate for solutions that will benefit the workforce, and to ultimately inspire a safe and secure cyber world.

Thanks! 

[j_M007]

Thanks so much for shedding some light on this subject Samantha. With today's spurious news and other deliberate disinformation tactics I like to have (true) facts - not "alternative facts."

[rslade]

> SamanthaO_isc2 (Community Manager) posted a new reply in Career on 10-24-2018 03:10 PM in the (ISC)² Community :

>    Globally 37% of professionals stated the
> lack of skilled/experienced cybersecurity personnel was their top job
> concern. Additionally, 63% of respondents said their organizations have a
> shortage of staff dedicated to cybersecurity, and 60% said their
> organizations were at a moderate or extreme risk of cyberattacks due to that
> shortage.

So, basically this "3 million missing jobs" figure is the result of an opinion poll?