Study: 71% of IT Execs Link Workforce Shortage to Companies’ Cyber Vulnerabilities

A report by Intel Security and the Center for Strategic and International Studies has found that 71 percent of information technology professionals believe the shortage of cybersecurity professionals make business organizations more vulnerable to cyber attacks.

Intel Security said Wednesday it commissioned technology market research firm Vanson Bourne in May to conduct online interviews with 775 IT executives from the U.S., U.K., Japan and five other countries for the study.

The study showed that 82 percent of respondents said their companies face a shortfall in cybersecurity skills, while 76 percent said their governments have not made enough investments to build up cybersecurity talent.

“To address this workforce crisis, we need to foster new education models, accelerate the availability of training opportunities, and we need to deliver deeper automation so that talent is put to its best use on the front line,” said Chris Young, senior vice president and general manager of Intel Security Group.

“Finally, we absolutely must diversify our ranks.”

The report also noted that only 23 percent of survey participants think education initiatives help train and prepare students for the cybersecurity sector.

Respondents also predict that 15 percent of cybersecurity jobs will remain vacant by 2020 amid the companies’ adoption of Internet of Things, mobile, and cloud computing platforms, according to the report.