Inadequate cybersecurity staffing is the second-largest barrier faced by state governments in their attempts to overcome cybersecurity challenges, according to a newly released Deloitte study. Insufficient budget was the biggest barrier reported, and interestingly, the lack of availability of cybersecurity professionals was cited as the fifth largest barrier.
Inadequate staffing has been a prevalent issue for years. (ISC)2’s 2019 Cybersecurity Workforce Study estimates the shortage of needed skilled professionals is more than 4 million worldwide. This creates challenges for CISOs as they focus on protecting their organizations.
The Deloitte study, which is based on responses from 51 U.S. states and territories, says that even as the CISO position “has evolved into a mature and respected role,” CISOs still “struggle with the challenges of securing adequate budgets and talent, as well as coordinating a consistent security implementation across agencies.” These are longstanding challenges for state governments, and the study reveals that the COVID-19 pandemic has amplified the need for states to modernize their digital and cybersecurity operations.
The study was conducted by Deloitte and the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) in April and May 2020, as the first wave of the pandemic was hitting its peak in many places.
Pandemic Effects
The sudden shift from the office to home environments affected not only government agencies but also private enterprise. (ISC)2’s COVID-19 Cybersecurity Pulse Survey found that 90% of respondents had implemented work-from-home policies. The ..
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