Fortinet’s Annual Skills Gap Report Highlights Growing Link Between Cybersecurity Breaches and Skills Shortages in India

Fortinet’s latest Global Cybersecurity Skills Gap Report reveals a significant connection between the increasing number of cybersecurity breaches in India and the shortage of skilled professionals in the field. The report indicates that nearly 92% of Indian organizations faced breaches over the past year that they partially attribute to a lack of cybersecurity expertise. Additionally, 80% of these organizations link heightened cyber risks to the ongoing skills gap.

Key Insights from the Report:

– Breaches and Skills Gap: The majority of organizations (92%) reported that breaches were partially due to the skills gap, consistent with last year’s findings. Breaches are having serious consequences, including financial losses and executive penalties. This year, 66% of respondents experienced losses exceeding $1 million, up from 43% in the previous year.

– Increased Accountability: Corporate leaders are facing greater accountability for cybersecurity incidents. In India, 82% of respondents noted that directors or executives have faced severe consequences, such as fines or job loss, due to breaches.

– Importance of Certifications: Certifications are highly valued, with 100% of respondents preferring candidates with certifications. There is a strong belief that certifications enhance security posture, and 92% of employers are willing to fund certification for their employees. However, finding qualified candidates remains challenging, with over 70% of respondents reporting difficulty in locating those with relevant certifications.

– Diversity and Hiring Trends: Organizations are making efforts to recruit from diverse talent pools. Despite goals for diversity, the percentage of female hires has decreased slightly. Many companies still favor candidates with traditional educational backgrounds, although there is growing acceptance of non-traditional paths if they include certifications and training.

Fortinet’s Commitment: Fortinet is actively working to address the skills gap through comprehensive training programs. The company aims to train 1 million people in cybersecurity by 2026, with nearly half a million trained to date. Fortinet’s approach includes partnering with government bodies, academic institutions, and industry leaders to create a skilled and diverse cybersecurity workforce.

Future Directions: To improve organizational security, Fortinet emphasizes investing in training and certifications, cultivating a cyber-aware staff, and employing effective security solutions. The Fortinet Security Fabric platform offers over 50 enterprise-grade products, and the Fortinet Training Institute provides extensive training and certification programs to help bridge the cybersecurity skills gap.

For more details on how to address the cybersecurity skills shortage and enhance your organization’s defenses, visit Fortinet’s website and explore their training and certification offerings.