The Cybersecurity Skills Gap, by the Numbers
The cybersecurity talent shortage has reached critical levels globally. Consider these eye-opening statistics:
- There are currently 3.5 million unfilled cybersecurity jobs worldwide (source: Cybersecurity Ventures)
- Cybersecurity job openings have grown 350% from 2013 to 2021 (source: Cyber Seek)
- In the U.S. alone, over 460,000 cybersecurity positions are vacant (source: Cyber Seek)
- 57% of organizations report unfilled cybersecurity positions (source: ISACA)
- Demand for cybersecurity professionals has grown over 3X faster than other IT jobs (source: Burning Glass)
This shortage of skilled cybersecurity workers leaves organizations under-resourced and ill-equipped to face multiplying cyber threats. According to IBM‘s Cost of a Data Breach Report 2021, the average cost of a data breach has climbed to $4.24 million, the highest level in the report‘s history. For organizations that contain a breach in under 200 days, the average cost is $1.26 million less than those that take longer. Clearly, having enough skilled cybersecurity staff to detect, respond to, and remediate attacks quickly is crucial.
The most acute talent shortages are in several key cybersecurity roles:
| Role | Open Jobs (U.S.) |
|---|---|
| Cybersecurity Engineer | 61,273 |
| Cybersecurity Analyst | 50,905 |
| Network Engineer/Architect | 24,126 |
| Vulnerability Analyst/Penetration Tester | 22,765 |
| Cybersecurity Manager/Administrator | 20,650 |
Source: Cyber Seek, April 2023
Within these roles, some of the most in-demand technical skills employers are seeking include:
- Intrusion detection
- Network monitoring
- Incident response and handling
- Penetration testing
- Virtualization
- Application development security
- Access management
- Audit and compliance
- Threat analysis
- Data privacy and security
Traditional cybersecurity education and training programs have struggled to keep pace with employer demand and evolving skill requirements. A computer science or IT degree provides foundational knowledge but often lacks sufficient specialization in cybersecurity. Taking the time to earn additional certifications like Security+, CEH, or CISSP is helpful but again time-consuming and cost-prohibitive for many.
This is where an intensive, hands-on cybersecurity bootcamp like Programming School‘s new Cybersecurity Engineering Flex program can be a game-changer for aspiring cybersecurity professionals and career changers.
Fast-Tracking Careers with Immersive, Flexible Cybersecurity Education
The Cybersecurity Engineering Flex program is thoughtfully designed to help students from any professional background gain the practical skills and experience needed to land their first cybersecurity jobs, without having to go back to school for years.
Three flexible schedule options – 20, 40, or 60 weeks in duration – enable students to balance learning with existing work or personal commitments. The 40 and 60 week pacing options are ideal for students looking to complete the program part-time while continuing to work.
Programming School‘s curriculum is highly immersive and hands-on, moving beyond theory to give students real-world experience with industry tools and techniques. Students start by building core cybersecurity knowledge in operating systems, networking, and system administration. From there, the curriculum moves into offensive and defensive tactics, teaching students to:
- Scope and perform penetration tests to identify vulnerabilities
- Attack and exploit systems using techniques like cross-site scripting and SQL injection
- Develop secure systems and applications
- Monitor networks for suspicious traffic and anomalies
- Investigate incidents and perform forensic analysis
- Implement access controls, firewalls, and endpoint protection
- Use threat intelligence to proactively identify risks
- Ensure security governance and compliance
Hands-on labs and projects are built into every unit to reinforce concepts. For their capstone project, students plan and execute a full penetration test on a real network environment.
Programming School also places a heavy emphasis on career readiness and job search preparation. One-on-one career coaching sessions help students refine their cybersecurity career goals, build their professional brand, and practice core interviewing and communication skills. Students graduate with a professional portfolio, resume, and online presence ready to capture the attention of hiring managers.
The results of this immersive, job-focused training approach are evident in the outcomes for Programming School graduates:
- 86% of Programming School grads land a job within 6 months
- The average starting salary for grads is $74,566
- Graduates have been hired by top employers like Accenture, IBM Security, Palo Alto Networks
By providing an accelerated, accessible path to qualify for in-demand cybersecurity jobs, this program has the potential to help many more talented individuals break into the field and launch successful careers.
Diversifying the Cybersecurity Workforce
In addition to the overall talent shortage, the cybersecurity field also suffers from a major diversity problem. Women make up only 24% of the cybersecurity workforce, and Black and Hispanic professionals are similarly underrepresented (source: NIST).
Research has repeatedly shown that diverse teams – with a mix of genders, ethnicities, backgrounds, and experience levels – perform better. Reducing barriers to cybersecurity education and hiring workers with non-traditional experience can help improve diversity while addressing the talent gap.
By offering flexible learning options and not requiring a specific degree or background to enroll, Programming School aims to expand access to cybersecurity careers to a wider, more diverse range of students. Career changers, working parents, veterans, and other underrepresented groups in tech can all benefit from a program that lets them learn modern cybersecurity skills on their own schedule.
Programming School is also highly focused on fostering an inclusive learning community, with affinity groups, mentorship programs, and events designed to support students from all walks of life. This supportive environment, combined with a highly relevant curriculum and job search resources, sets students up for success in cybersecurity regardless of their past experience.
Closing the Skills Gap Starts with Modern, Accessible Education
The war for cybersecurity talent is very real, and there is no quick fix. However, providing more on-ramps to cybersecurity careers for motivated technology learners is a key piece of the solution.
As an experienced programming and technology educator, I believe immersive, job-focused training programs like Programming School‘s Cybersecurity Engineering Flex program are one of the best ways for aspiring cybersecurity professionals to get their start in the field. The combination of flexibility, hands-on learning, and dedicated career support makes this type of program ideal for career changers and beginners looking to build job-ready skills efficiently.
If you are considering a career in cybersecurity, I encourage you to explore the Cybersecurity Engineering Flex program and see if it could be the right fit for your goals and learning style. Employers are hungry for skilled cybersecurity talent, and with the right training under your belt, you can position yourself for a highly rewarding career protecting our digital future.
