A new report from global cybersecurity leader Fortinet has highlighted the growing link between cybersecurity breaches and the persistent shortage of skilled cybersecurity professionals.
According to the 2024 Global Cybersecurity Skills Gap Report, 94% of organizations in the Philippines experienced a breach in the past year that they attributed, at least partially, to a lack of cyber skills.
John Maddison, Chief Marketing Officer at Fortinet, emphasized the urgent need for a multifaceted approach to address this challenge. “This year’s report emphasizes that for organizations to ensure they are protected from today’s complex threats they must have a combination of the right security technology, opportunities for current security professionals to upskill through training and certifications, and an overall cyber-aware workforce,” he said.
Alan Reyes, Country Manager at Fortinet Philippines, echoed this sentiment, saying: “More organizations are increasingly linking security breaches to the cybersecurity skills gap, with 94% of organizations in the Philippines recognizing this issue, up from 92% in the last report. This emphasizes the urgent need for organizations in the Philippines to continue addressing the cybersecurity skills shortage to strengthen their security posture.”
Key findings for the Philippines from the global report include:
- Organizations are increasingly attributing breaches to the cyber skills gap
- Breaches continue to have significant repercussions for businesses, and executive leaders are often penalized when they happen
- Certifications continue to be highly regarded by employers as a validator of current cybersecurity skills and knowledge
- Numerous opportunities remain for hiring from diverse talent pools to help address the skills shortage
The report revealed that an estimated 4 million professionals are needed to fill the growing cybersecurity workforce gap. Moreover, 77% of organizations in the Philippines indicated that the skills shortage creates additional risks for their businesses.
The increasing frequency of costly cyberattacks, combined with the potential of severe personal consequences for board members and directors, is resulting in an urgent push to strengthen cyber defenses across enterprises. As a result, organizations are focusing on a three-pronged approach to cybersecurity: investing in training and certifications, fostering a cyber-aware workforce, and implementing effective security solutions.
Fortinet, with its extensive portfolio of security products and training programs, is committed to supporting organizations in their efforts to build cyber resilience.
The company boasts of more than 50 enterprise-grade products through its Fortinet Security Fabric platform. Meanwhile, the award-winning Fortinet Training Institute, is dedicated to making cybersecurity certification and new career opportunities available to all, including a Security Awareness Training offering for organizations to develop a cyber-aware workforce.
.jpg)
