Many companies are taking a multi-layered approach to counteract the shortage of skilled workers. Common strategies include expanding internal training programs, promoting certifications, and collaborating with universities to develop cybersecurity curricula.
Innovative companies are using AI to expand the capabilities of their team, allowing human experts to focus on higher-value tasks.
“With the advent of generative AI, we can provide insights and recommendations to less experienced employees so they can make better decisions,” said Sam Hector, senior strategy leader at IBM Security. “AI also enables better management of complex security environments by identifying misconfigurations and vulnerabilities and either automatically remediating them or providing remediation recommendations.”
And just as the cost of security vulnerabilities resulting from the skills gap can be measured in dollars, the savings resulting from AI can also be measured. “Those who use AI extensively realize average cost savings of $1.9 million in security breaches,” said Hector. “And those who use AI extensively in prevention-focused workflows saved an average of $2.2 million in breach costs.”
As the cybersecurity skills shortage continues, companies must prioritize hiring and training to build robust security teams. Organizations can better position themselves to mitigate the costly impact of a data breach by focusing on a mix of technical skills and essential soft skills. Investing in human capital today can save millions in potential security breach costs tomorrow.
