Embrace alternative education pathways for cyber success

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Shifting focus toward passion, adaptability, and a willingness to learn can revolutionise talent acquisition, fostering a more diverse and effective cyber security force.

Ricardo Villadiego

Published: 06 May 2024

While a university degree was once the gold standard for cyber security professionals, it’s no longer the sole path to success. Nearly a third, 32%, of individuals in the field haven’t taken the traditional three or four-year route, yet still excel in the field. This disconnect is not lost on the White House, which is promoting initiatives in the United States to ditch unnecessary degree requirements for critical cyber security jobs. This stance reflects a growing reality: practical skills and capabilities are paramount.

Formal education has its place, but experience reigns supreme. Many successful professionals honed their expertise through hands-on work and self-directed learning, proving alternative paths exist. Government agencies can be valuable examples, offering training grounds where individuals gain real-world skills directly applicable to both public and private sectors.

This shift is crucial. In today’s dynamic threat landscape, we need true cyber security minds, not just diplomas on the wall. It’s time to embrace diverse talent and prioritise the skills that truly build our digital defences.

Seek adaptable minds, not framed diplomas

The cyber security industry faces a critical bottleneck: a growing demand for skilled professionals coupled with an outdated hiring approach. Insisting on a multi-year degree creates a barrier that limits the talent pool, despite a significant number of highly qualified professionals who haven’t followed that traditional path.

The urgency is undeniable. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 32% surge in information security analyst jobs by 2032 – entry-level positions in cyber defence! Lowering the barriers is essential to meeting this rising demand.

Enter AI, the game-changer. AI offers alternative education paths and lowers the learning curve. Imagine AI as a superpower for cyber security professionals. It analyses vast data sets to identify emerging threats, predict attack patterns, surface crucial insights, and automate repetitive tasks, empowering even entry-level talent to focus on complex problem-solving and strategic analysis. This isn’t just about individual careers; AI is paving the way for a new generation of cyber security jobs.

Think of it like Canva for graphic design – AI democratises the field. Similar to how Canva allows anyone to create stunning visuals without design expertise, AI empowers individuals without traditional cyber security degrees to contribute significantly.

Deep AI and automation are also further empowering companies. Imagine a recent university graduate possessing the ability to effectively manage a company’s cyber security needs – a task previously requiring a seasoned professional with 15 years of experience. AI is lowering the barrier to entry, attracting a wider range of talent, and fostering a future where human experts collaborate with AI. Just like planes rely on autopilot for most of the flight, cyber security will become increasingly automated, freeing human expertise for strategic tasks.

Cyber security roles require more than just technical knowledge. Soft skills like adaptability, communication, problem-solving, and teamwork are crucial and often more challenging to teach. These can significantly contribute to an individual’s success. Emphasising a passion for cyber security and a willingness to learn is more indicative of future success than a degree.

Shift hiring from HR to department heads for success

Passing the hiring process from solely HR departments and empowering department leaders to take on a role in team building can lead to more effective talent acquisition strategies. Being closer to the work themselves, department heads understand the specific skills and qualities needed for success and can better assess candidates based on those criteria.

Removing degree requirements is a big step in attracting a more diverse range of candidates with varying backgrounds and skills. Diversity in perspectives is a valuable asset in cyber security and leads to more innovative and effective solutions. Embracing diversity strengthens not just teams, but the industry as a whole.

By re-evaluating the emphasis on degrees, adopting a holistic approach to talent acquisition, and fostering a culture of continuous learning, organisations can tap into a larger pool of qualified professionals, build stronger cyber security capabilities, and drive innovation in the face of an evolving threat landscape.

Ricardo Villadiego is founder and CEO of Lumu Technologies, a specialist in autonomous incident management. He developed his IT career at Unisys, Trend Micro and IBM before starting his own security business, Easy Solutions, in 2009. He went on to found Lumu in 2019. A graduate in electronic engineering from the Universidad Distrital Francisco Jose de Caldas in Bogota, Colombia, Villadiego is now based in Miami, Florida.

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