Intelligent CIO APAC Issue 23 | Page 83

FINAL WORD
Cyber Talent aims to reach out to a minimum of 20,000 individuals within the next three years to encourage them to embark on a journey in cybersecurity .
The agency also partnered with the Infocomm Media Development Authority ( IMDA ) to develop the Cybersecurity Associates and Technologists ( CSAT ) Program in its pursuit of supporting both fresh and mid-career cyber professionals in enriching their skills through training on the job .
Companies registered in this partnership are offered the chance to train and upskill fresh ICT professionals and mid-career professionals for cybersecurity roles . Other initiatives of SG Cyber Talent include Cybersecurity Career Mentoring Program with the Singapore Computer Society ( SCS ), SG Cyber Women initiative , SG Cyber Educators Program and SG Cyber Youth Program . With such proactive efforts in place , government agencies do not only promote cybersecurity as a viable career path for IT professionals and fill the gap in the industry but also help the country become more resilient amid an increasingly unpredictable cyber climate .
What are some ways organizations can retain cyber talent ?
According to Deloitte , cybercriminals are also upgrading their tools and improving their techniques . Threat actors are adopting the As-a-Service business model , which further contributes to the rising cybersecurity concerns . As the frequency and sophistication of cyberattacks escalate , there is an urgent organizational need to advance cybersecurity measures , raising the demand for cybersecurity experts .
With the inability to keep up with the skills and talent demand , the cyber skills shortage has significantly contributed to the increase in cybercrimes . Cybersecurity teams are understaffed and lack the needed skills to help them effectively defend their organizations against the growing threats and respond to increasing regulatory requirements .
How can government agencies support cybersecurity initiatives and the demand for cyber talent ?
In Singapore , the government has rolled out various initiatives to help address the skills gap in cybersecurity . Through the Singapore Cyber Talent program of the Cybersecurity Agency ( CSA ) the country looks to expand its cyber talent pool . SG
Poaching is a problem for many organizations . Human resources departments need to develop employee retention strategies to encourage cyber specialists to stay put . They should focus on providing a clear path for career advancement while publicly acknowledging their vital contributions to the company . Management should never treat or have their cybersecurity organizations be perceived as a cost center .
Adopting new technologies such as Machine Learning and automation can provide cyber specialists with greater insights into threats and makes it easier for them to detect and disarm advanced attacks before damage is done . By equipping them with the right tools in doing their jobs , cyber professionals can be encouraged to stay in the field and pursue upskilling and reskilling .
Which countries in the APAC region are hardest hit by the shortage of cybersecurity skills ?
While cybercrime is increasing across the Asia Pacific ( APAC ) region , it appears to be at its highest in specific countries like Indonesia and Vietnam . In Interpol ’ s 2021 Cyberthreat Assessment , Indonesia was reported to have had the most phishing attacks , with 737,152 compared to 145,004 in Singapore .
The same can be found in ransomware cases , as Indonesia reported 1.3 million cases of ransomware
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