CYBER AND CLOUD
The damaging impact of ageism in cyber security
With ageist attitudes permeating society , we take a look at the damaging effect this can have on cyber and its growing skills shortage
WRITTEN BY : CATHERINE GRAY
Considered a modern field , the cyber security industry faces challenges brought upon by a number of structural obstacles that comes with being a newer industry . Along with diversity issues , with cyber professionals being predominantly male , ageism is another challenge that is contributing to the large skills gap in the industry .
In a study conducted by ISSA , 95 % of respondents said the cyber security skills shortage and the impact of this gap have not improved over the past few years .
Today ’ s workforce consists mainly of three generations :
• Baby boomers , those born between 1946 and 1964
• Generation X , born between 1965 and 1976
• Millennials , people born between 1977 and 1996 . The different experiences and different levels of exposure to technology these generations have lived through means not only do they respond differently to cyber issues , but they are treated differently by organisations as a result .
64 March 2022