A recent study conducted by Rackspace Technology has revealed that almost half of IT leaders lack confidence in their organisation’s cyber security systems. These startling findings highlight shortcomings that businesses around the world have when responding to data breaches, malware and ransomware attacks, and other forms of cyber-attack.
The poll of 1,420 IT professionals within multiple countries showed that 42% wouldn’t even be able to understand the nature of the cyber threats they faced. For the vast majority of businesses that rely heavily on the internet and customer information, this statistic will come as a worrying shock.
One of the key themes of their report was the lack of a skilled workforce. Over 85% of all firms say that they are struggling to find the expertise required to keep up with and combat the evolving world of cybercrime.
This shortage in the workforce often prices out smaller firms, leading to departments with a worrying lack of flexibility. The main skill shortage identified was that of skills needed for the cloud, DevOps methodologies, and advanced cyber security management.
What kind of cyber-attacks are the most challenging for IT leaders?
The report highlights a vast array of cyber-attacks but also ranks them by most to least concerning. Heading up the list is direct network/platform attacks, with 58% of IT leaders saying this is the kind of cyber-attack that concerns them the most.
Web application attacks, network operating system attacks, and advanced threat protection also ranked high on the list. These kinds of threats are difficult to counteract without dedicated knowledge from an in-house or outsourced cyber security team. Unfortunately, the report also spotlighted a lack of resources and time, which was leading to the problem being left unhandled.
What can IT leaders do to improve their situation?
Jeff DeVerter, the Chief Evangelist at Rackspace Technology, explained that organisations were “hoping to enlist recruiters and improve the training of internal staff” to solve the in-house talent problems.
Whilst this approach could work in the long run, many other organisations have the same idea, leading to a rush for talent and rising wages. Once again, smaller organisations are squeezed out of the market in favour of larger businesses that can pay the ever-growing wage demands of skilled cyber security professionals.
In the short term, this strategy still leaves many organisations at risk of a disastrous cyber-attack. A data breach or other hack could lead to enormous reputational damage and even regulatory fines.
Seeking the assistance of an experienced cyber security company, like Wizard Cyber, has many benefits. As well as the almost immediate increase in cyber threat protection, we can also help you train your in-house staff as part of your longer-term cyber security strategy.
We can also help you get started with upgrading your cyber security by conducting a variety of reviews to assess your current situation. If you decide to retain the work in-house, this review will give you the perfect first step on improving your readiness against cyber-attacks, as well as assisting in removing any vulnerabilities within your system.
Ongoing services like penetration testing and ISO 27001 certification can further reduce the load on your team, whilst still allowing you to retain total control over every aspect of your cyber security.
A fully outsourced solution is also advisable, depending on your organisation’s structure and situation. Even considering this as a short-term solution can ensure that your business is protected from cyber-attacks, including data breaches and a huge variety of hacks.
If you’re concerned about your cyber security and the threat of cyber-attacks, get in touch with us. At Wizard Cyber, we specialise in a huge variety of cyber security services and are ready to help with anything you need.
