It’s easy to overlook a growing concern in cybersecurity, namely the talent gap, with so many new cybersecurity threats. How can organizations keep up with the changing threat landscape as malicious actors continue to develop their tools and techniques?
Riccardo ocleppo is the founder and CEO of Open Institute of Technology.
Security magazine: Tell me about your background and title.
I am the founder of Docsity, and OPIT – Open Institute of Technology. I am an entrepreneur who is passionate about education. I develop products and service that positively impact millions. Since Docsity was founded in 2010, we have grown to over 20,000,000 registered students and partnered up with 250+ universities around the world to enhance and promote their program. This experience inspired me in establishing OPIT. OPIT aims to revolutionize higher education technology-focused with innovative, flexible and career-aligned curriculums that democratize the access to higher education.
Security magazine: Some people say that a traditional degree is required to work in the fast paced cybersecurity field, particularly when it comes AI. What are your opinions on the topic?
A traditional university degree may provide valuable knowledge and critical-thinking skills, but the fast-paced nature (especially in AI-related fields) of the cybersecurity industry makes practical, hands-on learning just as important. Many of the most successful cyber-security professionals have a background that combines formal education with real world experience and continual learning.
We have found that the best approach is to combine a solid technical and managerial academic background with opportunities for internships, certifications and applied projects. This allows students to be ready to start their cybersecurity careers right away. Employers are looking for students who can apply their theoretical knowledge of topics such as governance, network security and cryptography to solve complex security challenges.
Security magazine: How can AI training be directly applied to the ever changing cybersecurity market?
AI is driving the constant change in the cybersecurity landscape. Think about deep fakes, next-level social engineering, AI malware generation/adaptation and more. AI and machine-learning are also proving invaluable tools for identifying trends, automating responses, and staying ahead sophisticated cyber criminals.
In this context, it is just as important to show students how AI can work on both sides of the equation (attacking and defense) as it is to let them test these things. This includes developing skills – through practice – in areas such as:
- Natural language processing is used to analyze security logs and threat intelligence
- Automating incident response with AI-powered systems
- Synthetic data can be created using generative AI for security testing
These technologies are essential for the next generation of cybersecurity professionals to be able to meet the ever-changing cybersecurity challenges.
Security magazine: How can we close the cybersecurity skills gaps?
I believe that a multi-pronged strategy is needed for higher education in cybersecurity.
- Offer more specialized cybersecurity programs, certificates and courses for professional development to build a bigger pipeline of skilled talent.
- Students will gain more practical experience if you include more project-based education, internships, and real-world simulations in your cybersecurity curriculum.
- Encourage professionals in adjacent fields such as IT, data science, and software engineering to explore cyber security through bridging initiatives and skills development programs.
- Dispel the myth that cyber security professionals are high-tech profiles. Cybersecurity has many facets, including technical and managerial aspects. Cybersecurity professionals can come from many different backgrounds.
- Work closely with employers in order to understand their changing needs and adapt educational offerings accordingly. Use industry partnerships to offer students mentorship and career placement assistance.
- To expand the talent pool, actively recruit and support underrepresented group in cybersecurity.
Security Magazine: Anything else that you would like to add?
Certifications are also important in ensuring that professionals are recognized for their expertise in the field. It is a way of proving the skills you have acquired through training and your experience in practice. It is important to emphasize that the learning process doesn’t stop here. Cyber threats are constantly evolving and students must stay on top of the latest trends.
To stay current, I suggest that you take part in extracurricular courses, read articles, attend online conferences and webinars, join groups and receive newsletters. Investing in self-improvement can help professionals stay relevant in their field and open up new career options.