64% of EMEA Companies Struggle with Severe Cybersecurity Skills Gap
A staggering 64% of companies in the EMEA region are grappling with a severe shortage of cybersecurity specialists, leading them to adopt risky measures and workarounds. This critical skills gap is not only affecting technical roles but also operations, leadership, and compliance positions. The situation has left only 24% of IT decision-makers feeling confident about their in-house cybersecurity skills.
The most pressing issue is the scarcity of senior-level talent, impacting governance, planning, and risk assessment. This skills shortfall is compounded by the high demand and limited supply of suitably qualified candidates, with 65% of IT leaders citing this as a recruitment barrier. The lack of appropriate expertise undermines leadership confidence in secure innovation and long-term resilience.
Organisations are resorting to temporary security measures, increasing their exposure to risk. The high cost of hiring and training new talent, with 68% of IT leaders pointing to this as a major barrier, further exacerbates the problem. In the UK alone, 67% of organisations report a severe or significant social security skills shortage. The report underscores the urgent need for organisations to reassess their security strategy, training, and leadership development.
To strengthen expertise, companies are investing in integrated platforms, automated processes, and external service providers, particularly modern security technologies like SASE and AI-driven solutions. Industry initiatives are promoting recognized training and apprenticeship programs in IT security to build a skilled workforce. However, with 64% of organisations resorting to risky cybersecurity practices due to the skills shortage, there is an urgent need for collective action to address this pressing issue.
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