CASE STUDY one or more breaches in the past 12 months . And the number of organisations confirming five or more breaches jumped by 53 % between 2021 and 2022 .
While numerous factors are likely to contribute to this increase in breaches , more than two-thirds of business leaders , 68 % agree that unfilled IT and security positions pose a security risk to their organisations .
In addition to successful cyberattacks occurring more frequently , they are continuing to cost organisations a lot of money . Nearly half of the organisations surveyed suffered breaches in the past 12 months that cost more than $ 1 million to remediate . However , it is not all bad news . The report also shows that recruiting from a more diverse talent pool can help to shrink the skills gap , and many organisations are creating and pursuing initiatives to attract a broader set of candidates .
Role of diversity
The Fortinet Academic Partner Programme bridges the gap between learning and careers through access to industry-recognised Fortinet Network Security Expert training and certification courses . Authorised Academic Partners can integrate the Fortinet Training Institute certification directly into their existing courses or facilitate the content as stand-alone continuing education .
To supplement the course content , institutions can also use Fortinet network security technologies to give students a hands-on lab experience . Graduates of the programme leave with in-demand cybersecurity skills to help protect networks from global cyber threats , such as phishing attacks , ransomware , and business email compromise .
The programme can be taught for pure skill and career development or with the goal of each graduate becoming Fortinet Network Security Expert-Certified .
Impact on business
Fortinet ’ s 2023 Global Cybersecurity Skills Gap Report shows that organisations continue to fight an uphill battle against cyber threats . They are experiencing more breaches , are in dire need of skilled professionals , and are struggling to fill critical roles .
Businesses have historically sought out traditional candidates , those with a degree in a related field or previous cybersecurity work experience — to fill open cybersecurity roles . However , this outdated approach is no longer viable given the overwhelming need for cybersecurity professionals .
Most organisations , 83 % now have diversity goals for hiring that span the next two to three years . Drawing from historically overlooked sources of talent can help fill skill gaps by expanding the pool of potential candidates , such as seeking candidates from a broader talent set , including women , minority groups , and military veterans .
It is encouraging to see businesses implementing programmes to attract a more diverse talent pool . According to the report , many organisations maintain recruiting initiatives aimed at women , 73 % and candidates from minority populations , 59 %.
Despite their efforts , some organisations still find recruiting and hiring qualified individuals difficult . Of the three talent sources mentioned , 69 % of IT decision-makers say their organisations struggle to find and hire qualified women , saying it is considerably harder than recruiting from minority and veteran populations . And more than half , 54 % also say that retaining these individuals is also a challenge .
As cybercrime proliferates and bad actors identify new and more sophisticated ways to infiltrate networks , it is no surprise that organisations are falling victim to cyberattacks more frequently than in the past . The report shows that 84 % of enterprises experienced
“ Our commitment to excellence is reflected in this collaboration with Fortinet , integrating their NSE qualifications into our curriculum to ensure our students receive the best possible education ,” says Professor Fehmida Hussain . p
62 INTELLIGENTCIO MIDDLE EAST www . intelligentcio . com