You may not be getting good advice on your cybersecurity.

The cybersecurity skills gap exists across all industries, and healthcare is no exception. It is a significant and persistent challenge, and its implications can have far-reaching consequences. Here are some of the factors causing the shortage:

1. Increasing demand: The digitization of businesses, the rise of cloud computing, the proliferation of connected devices (IoT), and the expanding threat landscape have all contributed to the growing need for skilled cybersecurity experts.

2. Evolving threat landscape: Cyber threats are becoming more sophisticated and diverse, requiring a corresponding level of expertise to combat them effectively. Attack techniques such as ransomware, phishing, social engineering, and advanced persistent threats (APTs) require specialized knowledge and skills to detect, prevent, and respond to.

3. Lack of qualified professionals: There is a shortage of individuals with the necessary technical knowledge, practical experience, and problem-solving skills to address complex cybersecurity challenges. The field requires continuous learning and staying updated with evolving technologies and threats, which further adds to the scarcity of qualified personnel.

4. Rapidly evolving technology: The cybersecurity landscape is constantly evolving, with new technologies, tools, and platforms emerging regularly. Keeping up with these advancements requires ongoing training and development, which can be challenging for organizations and individuals. The skills gap is exacerbated by the need for professionals who can understand and work with cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), blockchain, and cloud security.

5. Competitive job market: The demand for cybersecurity professionals has created a highly competitive job market, making it difficult for organizations to attract and retain top talent. Many organizations struggle to offer competitive salaries, career advancement opportunities, and appealing work environments, which leads to a limited pool of qualified candidates.

Addressing the cybersecurity skills gap requires a multi-faceted approach and it will take time for the talent pool to catch up. Yes, artificial intelligence is helping, but that knife cuts both ways – it’s helping cybercriminals as well.

What can you do to ensure your cyber defenses are up to speed? The single most important thing you can do is conduct a Risk Assessment. A Risk Assessment conducted by a cybersecurity company like Acentec will reveal where, if any, your structural and procedural weaknesses may be lurking. Another great part about getting a competent Risk Assessment is it’s a report you can have other experts review. While a second opinion isn’t required, we encourage our clients to confirm our findings and recommendations with our peers.

Contact us today and ask us about the Risk Assessment options we offer.