Cybersecurity Staffing Shortages Create economic Ripple Effect

The expansion of new methods of working -- like bring your own device, cloud computing and social media -- is changing the ways federal agencies and other organizations do business. At the same time, security surrounding these emerging technologies is a major concern, a problem that is compounded by a significant shortage of information security professionals. The workforce shortage is negatively impacting organizations and their customers, leading to more frequent and costly data breaches, according to new research.

The new Global Information Security Workforce Study, released by (ISC)2, Booz Allen Hamilton and Frost and Sullivan, found that more than 56 percent of cybersecurity professionals feel their security organizations are short-staffed. Executives lack a complete understanding on the need for security and are not able to locate enough qualified security professionals, leading to more frequent and costly data breaches. This is having a profound impact on the economy, the research found.