The growing demand for leaders in cybersecurity management

Changes in the way we work and do business over the last five years mean that the need for good cybersecurity management is higher than ever. The increasing reliance of digital technologies and cloud storage solutions and prevalence of working from home are creating more potential points of failure. At the same time, as technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace, many of the current systems in place are becoming outdated and vulnerable to attack.

According to CrowdStrike, there has been a increase in cloud intrusions and a 76% spike in data theft victims over the past 12 months – and the consequences of lax cybersecurity can be devastating for businesses. The loss of corporate or customer data puts operations at risk, breaks trust and loyalty, and can even result in hefty fines from regulatory bodies, so it is critical that businesses have teams in place that can predict, prevent and address potential threats – driving up demand of cybersecurity leaders.  

This growing demand is met with a talent gap, making it challenging for businesses to find the cybersecurity workers they need, particularly those with management and leadership experience. As a relatively new role, seniority, longevity and experience are hard to come by, so it is important that businesses focus on finding talent the skills that are most important. 

Six skills and qualities for leaders in cybersecurity management

Proactivity  
The digital landscape is consistently changing, and good leaders recognise the need to stay ahead of the curve. Staying informed on new trends, threats and software helps them to develop a clear vision and strategy for the organisation’s cybersecurity management.  

Those who are continuously learning about changes that could impact their role and the organisation are also more likely to monitor existing strategies and adjust them in line with the latest developments. This reduces the risk of complacency and helps to create a more resilient environment.  
 

Adaptability 
Cyber criminals are getting more sophisticated and regularly change their strategies in the hope of catching out unprepared organisations or their customers, which means that your organisation’s cybersecurity strategy needs to be adaptable. Leaders should approach cybersecurity strategy as a movable feast, where plans are adjusted in line with the latest developments in the sector.  
 

Resilience 
No organisation is ever completely safe from a cyberattack, and those responsible for cybersecurity management will be able to stay calm and level-headed if the worst should happen. The ability to remain composed minimises the impact on the business, and they will be able to recover quickly to manage the fallout and implement measures that prevent future issues. 
 

Communication 
Leaders need to be able to communicate effectively with other stakeholders in the company to ensure that policies are implemented across all departments and secure buy-in for planned improvement projects. This is also the most important skill for crisis management, allowing them to deliver updates, next steps and reassurance. 
 

Ethics 
Trust and integrity underpin cybersecurity, and those responsible for cybersecurity management need to understand ethics and operate accordingly. The primary purpose of the role is to manage sensitive data and protect confidentiality, and the leader needs to adhere to ethical principles and instil them within the wider team. 
 

Mentoring  
Given the complexities of the sector and shortage of cybersecurity experts, leaders should be committed to nurturing the next generation. This investment in talent will only help to make teams stronger and more able to protect the organisation, and a good mentor will engender loyalty and improve staff satisfaction leading to greater retention.

Navigating the competitive market for cybersecurity talent  

The market for cybersecurity talent is fierce, with businesses constantly looking to strengthen their security as their digital ecosystems become more complex. With a shortage of cybersecurity leaders, it can be a costly and time-consuming process to find the right team to oversee cybersecurity management.  

Michael Page has an international network with a significant database of cybersecurity experts, and advanced technology that tracks availability. This, along with our expert market knowledge, means we can find quality candidates that hit the mark, quickly: we can have you speaking to potential candidates in a matter of hours.  

If you are interested in hiring cybersecurity talent, we would love to hear from you. Request a call back or submit a job spec today.