Why Upskilling is the Key to Closing the Cyber Skills Gap

The cybersecurity industry is facing a paradox:
➡️ The demand for skilled professionals is at an all-time high.
➡️ Yet, many cybersecurity roles remain unfilled for months.

The reason? The traditional hiring model isn’t keeping up. Organizations are in an endless cycle of searching for “ready-made” experts, while millions of talented professionals are overlooked due to rigid job descriptions.

What if the real solution isn’t just hiring more people—but upskilling the ones you already have?

Upskilling: A Strategic Approach to Cyber Hiring

Instead of competing in a talent war, companies that invest in upskilling can:

  • Bridge the talent gap faster – Training an internal IT professional in cybersecurity is often quicker than hiring externally.
  • Improve employee retention – Upskilled employees feel valued and are more likely to stay.
  • Adapt to emerging threats – Cyber risks evolve rapidly, and so should your team’s skills.

Real-World Example

A leading financial firm struggling to find cloud security talent created an internal training program for their existing IT team. Within 6 months, they had 10 newly certified cloud security specialists—at a fraction of the cost of external hiring.

How to Build an Effective Cyber Upskilling Program

  • Identify internal talent – Who has the aptitude and interest in cybersecurity?
  • Provide structured learning – Offer certifications (e.g., CISSP, CEH, CISM) and hands-on labs.
  • Encourage mentorship – Pair junior staff with experienced cybersecurity professionals.
  • Create a continuous learning culture – Cyber threats don’t stop evolving, and neither should training.

Time for a Mindset Shift

Rather than waiting for “perfect” hires, organizations that prioritize upskilling will build stronger, more resilient cybersecurity teams.

Over to you:
Do you believe upskilling is the solution to the cyber talent shortage? Or does hiring externally remain the best approach?

Let’s discuss!👇