Cybersecurity Hiring is Broken – Here’s How We Fix It
For years, cybersecurity job descriptions have looked something like this:
- 5+ years of experience
- CISSP, CEH, or OSCP certification required
- Expert in [insert long list of tools]
Sounds reasonable, right? Wrong.
The reality?
❌ Some of the best cybersecurity professionals don’t have traditional degrees.
❌ Many qualified candidates lack certifications but have real-world skills.
❌ Cyber threats evolve faster than experience requirements can keep up.
Yet, companies still use years of experience as a primary hiring filter—eliminating incredible talent before they even apply.
It’s Time to Rethink Cybersecurity Hiring Metrics
Instead of fixating on the past (years of experience), hiring managers should focus on:
- Problem-Solving Ability – Can they think like an attacker? Can they break, fix, and defend?
- Hands-on Skills – Have they worked on real-world challenges? Capture-the-Flag (CTF) competitions, home labs, or bug bounty programs can be better indicators than a résumé.
- Adaptability & Continuous Learning – The cyber landscape evolves daily. Is the candidate proactive in learning?
- Critical Thinking Under Pressure – Cyber threats don’t wait. Can they make the right call in a crisis?
Companies Already Doing This Are Winning
- Google’s cybersecurity team considers self-taught hackers and unconventional backgrounds.
- IBM launched an apprenticeship program to train cybersecurity talent, removing degree requirements.
- Some leading firms now conduct skills-based hiring challenges instead of résumé screening.
How Can Organizations Make This Shift?
- Rewrite Job Descriptions – Focus on skills, not just years. Ask for “proficiency” rather than “X years of experience.”
- Incorporate Practical Assessments – Use real-world simulations or CTF-style tests instead of relying on résumés.
- Consider Non-Traditional Talent – Military veterans, career switchers, and self-taught professionals bring unique strengths.
- Invest in Upskilling – Sometimes, the right hire is already in your IT team—just needing cybersecurity training.
Final Thought: Experience ≠ Expertise
Cybersecurity is about mindset, adaptability, and skills—not just time served.
What’s your take? Should we move away from “years of experience” as a hiring filter? Or is it still a necessary benchmark?
Drop your thoughts below! 👇