The gig economy has grown rapidly in recent years and now includes more than one third of U.S. workers who describe themselves as consultants, freelancers or self-employed. It isn’t surprising then that 31% of organizations say that consultants and contractors are the top source they tap into for cybersecurity talent, according to the (ISC)² 2020 Cybersecurity Workforce Study. In fact, this group is the second-most popular talent source overall, just after new university graduates.
The largest number of consultants (40%) work with small and mid-sized businesses (SMB), which could include small sole-proprietary businesses (think a self-employed CISSP starting his or her own business), as well as those advising multiple clients while working for a small solution provider organization. 23% work as independent contractors or freelancers. Another 23% work for large advisory firms. In addition, 10% say they work for large technology vendors or service providers, and 2% for defense contractors.
The term “consultant” carries some ambiguity since just about anybody can work as a consultant of some sort. Adding to the mystery, a consultant can be employed full time by one company while providing services to another organization, in which case the person might not qualify as a gig economy participant.
Whatever the case may be, working as a consultant typically implies a minimum level of expertise and experience in a particular field. In fact, nearly half (45%) of all consultants who responded to the (ISC)² study hold a CISSP certification, and 20% hold a cybersecurity consultant cissps embracing economy
