Alan Reyes, country manager of Fortinet Philippines, said tapping into these new talent pools will enhance the skills of companies’ current security teams to protect themselves from cyber threats.
“These are the underrepresented groups in the tech industry. Diversifying talents will help increase the number of qualified individuals to close the shortage,” he said.
According to the senior economic growth specialist of the United States Agency for International Development-Office of Economic Development Governance, John Avila, there are only around 200 cybersecurity professionals in the country.
Avila encouraged students and young professionals to look into the promising career in cybersecurity as this is a job that is in demand globally.
Reyes noted that understaffed security teams and a shortage of senior-level personnel make companies more vulnerable to breaches.
According to the Fortinet 2023 Global Cybersecurity Skills Gap report, 86 percent of information technology and cybersecurity decision-makers in the Philippines and Malaysia agreed that the skills shortage creates more cyber risks for their organizations, with over half admitting they struggle to recruit and retain qualified professionals for their security teams.
To address this, Reyes said companies can look to untapped communities, including women, veterans and students, and provide accessible cybersecurity training to those looking for a career change.
“By investing in these new talents, Filipino organizations can broaden their candidate pool and help build a stronger defense against cyber threats,” he said.
The (ISC)² 2022 Cybersecurity Workforce Study revealed that the Asia-Pacific region requires at least 2.2 million cybersecurity talents, leaving traditional candidates with cybersecurity degrees or relevant work experience unable to meet this demand alone.
“In the face of a severe skills shortage, retaining top talent is crucial for organizations in the Philippines. To achieve this, leaders must prioritize employee experience and job satisfaction by offering more opportunities for professional growth and skill development. One way to do this is by encouraging team members to take advantage of high-quality cybersecurity training and certification programs, such as those offered by the Fortinet Training Institute,” said Reyes.
The Network Security Expert program, with its self-paced and instructor-led training, provides eight levels of cybersecurity certification that cater to different skill levels.
“By investing in their employees’ growth, Filipino organizations can empower their team members to progress in their careers, while also providing a strong foundation for newcomers looking to build a career in the industry,” he said.
Moreover, to address the ongoing skills gap, colleges and universities are expanding their cybersecurity degree programs.
By partnering with these institutions, organizations can provide opportunities for students to acquire industry-recognized certifications even before graduation, ensuring a pipeline of qualified candidates to fill critical cybersecurity roles.
“The cybersecurity skills gap remains a significant challenge for organizations in the Philippines. However, by adopting innovative approaches such as investing in new talent, empowering current employees with professional growth opportunities, and partnering with educational institutions, Filipino organizations can address the skills shortage and build a vigorous defense against cyber threats,” said Reyes.
He added that doing all these will help companies ensure they are adequately equipped to face the more tech-related challenges and secure their critical digital assets.