Addressing Cybersecurity Skills Gap for SMBs

Cybersecurity skills gap impairs small and medium-sized businesses.

Explore solutions to address the problem  According to the World Economic Forum, every second organization says a lack of resources and expertise is their biggest obstacle to cybersecurity resilience. ISC2’s most recent Cybersecurity Workforce Study revealed that 92% (!) of cybersecurity decision-makers report cybersecurity skills gaps in their organizations. In plain terms, most organizations don’t have enough resources to protect themselves. At the same time, the demand for cybersecurity specialists with cloud security and artificial intelligence (AI) skills is rising.  

The cybersecurity skills gap is particularly challenging for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). Compared to larger enterprises, SMBs often lack access to on-site qualified cybersecurity professionals. As such, sustaining a strong security posture is a challenge. In addition, large enterprises possess more extensive resources to retain top cybersecurity talents more efficiently - the situation often referred to as a "Fortune 500 effect." These circumstances leave SMBs competing for a much smaller talent pool.  

Skilled security professionals are essential for safeguarding sensitive, infrastructure, and ensuring regulatory compliance. Yet, they are often hard to find and retain despite their vital role. Let’s see how the cybersecurity skills gap impairs SMBs and how they can solve this issue.  

Understanding the cybersecurity skills gap and its root causes

The cybersecurity skills gap refers to the constantly widening wedge between the demand for cybersecurity specialists and the true supply of qualified personnel. The common factors affecting the issue of cybersecurity skill shortage include:

• rapid technological advancements that greatly outpaced traditional education and training;
• misalignment between the cybersecurity industry and educational needs;
• the lack of diversity in cybersecurity, with women and minorities underrepresented in the industry;
• the varying nature and complexity of cybersecurity roles, which makes it difficult to find individuals who possess all the necessary skills;
• the high-pressure nature of cybersecurity work that often leads to burnout, causing experienced professionals to leave the field.
     

While these factors are apparent, small and medium-sized businesses face an even more challenging situation. The root causes of the cybersecurity skills gap in SMBs are shaped by several factors specific to their size and available resources. Here are the main causes:

1. Limited Financial Resources

SMBs often operate with tighter budgets, making it difficult to afford the salaries and benefits needed to attract and retain skilled cybersecurity specialists. Larger companies can offer more competitive compensation packages, leaving SMBs at a disadvantage.

2. Lack of Awareness and Prioritization

Cybersecurity may not be viewed as a top priority by SMBs, particularly if they believe they are not likely targets for cyberattacks. This lack of awareness can result in underinvestment in cybersecurity personnel and training.

3. Difficulty to Compete with Larger Enterprises

Larger companies have more resources to attract top cybersecurity specialists, often through higher salaries, better benefits, and opportunities for career growth. This Fortune 500 effect leaves SMBs competing for a much smaller pool of available talent.

4. Insufficient In-House Expertise

Many SMBs lack the internal expertise to properly assess and address their cybersecurity needs. Without experienced professionals to guide them, these businesses may struggle to implement effective cybersecurity measures or to recognize the importance of having dedicated cybersecurity staff.

5. Reliance on General IT Staff

In many SMBs, IT staff may be expected to handle cybersecurity tasks in addition to their regular duties. This generalist approach can lead to gaps in cybersecurity expertise, as these staff members may not have specialized training in cybersecurity.

6. High Turnover Rates

SMBs may struggle with retaining cybersecurity experts, who might leave for better opportunities at larger organizations. High turnover can lead to a constant shortage of skilled staff and make it difficult to maintain a consistent security posture.

Challenges related to the cybersecurity skills gap in SMBs

According to Fortinet’s 2024 Global Cybersecurity Skills Gap Report, cyber risks are escalating due to the ongoing talent shortage, while the number of organizations experiencing five or more breaches jumped by 53%. The result is that short-staffed cybersecurity teams are burdened with thousands of daily threat alerts and managing disparate solutions to protect their organization’s devices and data adequately. Here is the effect of skill shortage in cybersecurity:

1. Increased Vulnerability to Cyberattacks

Organizations with unfilled cybersecurity roles or underqualified staff are more vulnerable to cyberattacks. This increases the risk of data breaches, ransomware attacks, and other security incidents, leading to financial loss, reputational damage, and legal consequences. Organizations are attributing more breaches to a lack of cyber skills, with early 90% of organizational leaders saying they experienced a breach attributed to the cybersecurity skills gap.  

A large volume of breaches stems from access control misconfigurations, inadequate data storage practices, or an inability to detect and respond to security incidents—issues that experienced cybersecurity teams could prevent. However, only about a third of businesses possess advanced cybersecurity skills, such as forensic analysis and penetration testing. Unfortunately, the cybersecurity skills gap has no signs of slowing down - Gartner predicts that by 2025, the lack of cybersecurity specialists will be responsible for more than 50% of significant cybersecurity incidents.  

The growing prevalence of costly and sophisticated cyberattacks, coupled with the potential for severe personal repercussions for cybersecurity professionals, is driving an urgent need to bolster cyber defenses across organizations.

2. Delayed Incident Response

A lack of skilled personnel can delay the detection and response to cyber incidents, such as ransomware. Every second organization (59%) was hit by ransomware in 2024, with just 20% of victims recovering in a week or less. This delay can allow attackers more time to exploit vulnerabilities, leading to more significant damage and higher costs for remediation. Insufficient incident response can lead to prolonged disruptions in business operations, complicating recovery efforts. Investing in skilled professionals and advanced technologies is crucial to minimize these delays, ensuring that threats are promptly detected and mitigated to protect the organization from escalating security incidents.

4. Regulatory and Compliance Challenges

Ensuring compliance with cybersecurity regulations and industry standards also requires skilled professionals who understand the regulatory landscape, its requirements, updates, and common pitfalls. Every time organizations face trigger events that require a thorough assessment of compliance with regulatory requirements and cybersecurity standards, be it HIPAA, PCI DSS, GDPR, ISO 27001, or any other. Ongoing compliance evaluations and certification readiness assessments are challenging without a skilled information security professional, especially for SMBs.  

Can AI and automation tools replace human cybersecurity professionals?

Not yet. Technology is only as effective as those who utilize it. All automated security solutions must be managed by those who understand them and can use them correctly. The cybersecurity and compliance market is overwhelmed with AI-powered solutions for automated cybersecurity compliance decision-making and response. AI provides an unmatched ability to identify threats and patterns, automate real-time responses, swiftly process entire datasets, and speed up recovery operations. Many businesses hope to close the skills gap by using these tools. However, despite the integration of AI in cybersecurity, human expertise and critical thinking remain vital in combating cyber threats. Even as 1 in 5 organizations say they used some form of gen AI security tools, the skills gap remains a challenge. While AI can automate specific processes, cybersecurity experts possess critical thinking and decision-making skills essential in identifying advanced cyberattacks and developing effective strategies to safeguard against them.

How SMBs Can Overcome the Cybersecurity Skills Gap

The World Economic Forum has identified four priority areas for attracting cybersecurity talent:

• attract talent into cybersecurity;
• educate and train cybersecurity specialists;
• retain cybersecurity professionals;
• recruit the right cybersecurity talent.
   

Figure 1. WEF/Strategic Cybersecurity Talent Framework  However, these areas for attracting cybersecurity specialists may not work for SMBs. Facing the same scrutiny from industry regulations and being at the same level of information security risks, SMBs have limited cybersecurity budgets. Let’s see how SMBs can address the cybersecurity skills gap when their resources are limited:

Outsource to Cybersecurity Experts

Partner with third-party cybersecurity and compliance firms such as Planet 9 or managed security service providers (MSSPs) to access specialized expertise and support without needing in-house staff. Bring in a part-time or contract virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO) to provide strategic guidance and oversight, helping to shape the organization’s security posture. vCISO is a great solution for SMBs as it leads their cybersecurity operations, aligns their business goals, and promotes a security awareness culture.

Leverage Automation Tools

Utilize AI and automation tools to handle routine security tasks, allowing your limited team to focus on more complex and critical issues. Data leak prevention, automated compliance monitoring, and user behavior analytics can significantly reinforce your cybersecurity posture. Yet, remember, technology is only as effective as those who use it.  

Invest in Employee Training

Offer cybersecurity training programs to upskill existing employees, equipping them with the knowledge to handle basic security tasks and recognize threats. By offering targeted cybersecurity training programs, businesses can upskill their existing workforce, enabling employees to handle fundamental security tasks and recognize potential threats. This approach not only reduces the reliance on external experts but also fosters a culture of security awareness throughout the organization. Well-trained employees become the first line of defense against cyberattacks, as they can quickly identify and respond to suspicious activities. Additionally, continuous training helps keep staff updated on the latest security practices, ensuring the organization remains resilient against evolving threats.

Nurture a Security-First Mindset

Promoting a security-aware culture is crucial for addressing the cybersecurity skills gap. When everyone in the organization understands the importance of cybersecurity, they become active participants in maintaining a secure environment. This cultural shift encourages employees to adopt best practices, report potential threats, and remain vigilant against cyber risks. A security-aware culture also reduces the likelihood of human error, which is a common entry point for cyberattacks. By embedding security into the daily operations and mindset of the entire workforce, businesses can significantly mitigate the risks associated with the skills gap.

Addressing the IT security skills gap with Planet 9

At Planet 9, we employ a team of highly trained security and compliance professionals to enhance your overburdened team. With experience securing sensitive data and maintaining regulatory compliance, our virtual CISOs and information security consultants deliver the skills you need to implement your cybersecurity initiatives.  

Planet 9 can help secure your business and save money by delivering practical information security and compliance programs, security risk assessments, compliance evaluation, and certification readiness. Our expertise and experience will help your business to mitigate the need to recruit and retain expensive staff.  

‍Contact Planet 9 for expert guidance in addressing cybersecurity and compliance issues. We’ll be happy to assist!