In Demand IT Skills You Must Have - 1. Cybersecurity

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Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity jumps to the top of the list this year, due in large part to the pandemic. As many organizations have been forced to slow or reprioritize IT projects and investments, they must put more thought into which skills will help them rebuild. A recent survey by the International Data Corporation (IDC) revealed that organizations are prioritizing cybersecurity skills, whether they are in the midst of an economic downturn or experiencing slow growth.1

Cybersecurity is an area that cannot be ignored, even as budgets tighten. Our physical world has shrunk considerably in recent months, but the digital world remains a playground for cybercriminals who have developed new and devious tactics to obtain sensitive data. In fact, the number of attacks have increased since the pandemic started, with phishing emails up 667% since February.2

Prior to COVID-19, cybersecurity was still a priority. More than 50% of worldwide IT decision-makers expect their organization to invest in cybersecurity this year. And for the fifth straight year, cybersecurity is the most challenging hiring area in IT.3

“As the amount, frequency, and creativity of cybersecurity breaches grow, so does the shortage of cybersecurity professionals with the appropriate skills to defend the enterprise, government and military networks,” said Brad Puckett, Global Knowledge global portfolio director of cybersecurity. “This global shortage of cybersecurity professionals has created an in-demand market for anyone who wants to rise to the challenge and build career-advancing skill sets.”