DSCI released cybersecurity skilling report with EY
Recently the DSCI released a study called ‘Bridging the Gap: Identifying Challenges in Cybersecurity Skilling and Bridging the Divide.’
Objectives of this report:
- Analyzing the demand and supply of skilled cyber security professionals in India,
- To identify the reasons for the shortage of skilled professionals in India, and suggest solutions to overcome the shortage of skilled professionals in India.
Key Findings of report:
- Nearly 50% of corporates have admitted that cyber security professionals constitute less than 5% of the company’s total workforce.
- The top three cyber attacks: Phishing (spoofed emails), Smishing (spoofed texts) and Vishing (voice).
- These are followed by ransomware and zero-day exploits. According to the report, all such cyber attacks are expected to increase significantly.
- Currently, 43% of corporates have offices where 21-40% of the total cyber security workforces employed is women.
- According to the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), the number of cyber attacks has increased from 41 thousand in 2017 to 14 lakh in 2021.
Challenges in implementing the skill training program-
- Training institutions lack financial resources,
- Training institutions do not have adequate digital infrastructure to conduct cyber security skills training programmes.
- There is a paucity of skilled faculties/trainers to impart cyber security training;
- There is a dearth of experienced trainers from the knowledge industry and certified trainers are even less.
Recommendations of the report –
- A list of skills required by the industry should be drawn up; skill development program should be designed accordingly, and then the training should be imparted. Corporate driven training initiatives should be encouraged.
- Strong inclusive policies should be made for skill training for cyber security. Also, attention should be paid to diversity while recruiting candidates for vacancies in cyber security.
Source – DSIC
