Richard Tracy, CSO of Telos Corporation, is a 33-year cyber industry veteran and security and compliance expert.
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When the Covid-19 pandemic hit, countless companies were forced to move to a work-from-home situation overnight. They didn’t plan for it, prepare for it or invest in it. While this immediate shift caused chaos in the short term, it also spurred innovation across many industries, including cybersecurity.
According to the 2019 (ISC)² Cybersecurity Workforce Study, roughly 2.8 million professionals work in cybersecurity around the globe, but an additional 4 million security professionals are still needed to close the talent gap and adequately defend organizations across industries. While it may seem like a global pandemic would only make a dire situation worse, the surge in remote work could aid in closing the cyber talent gap in the long run.
With numerous tech giants like Facebook, Apple, Twitter and Microsoft moving fully remote even after the pandemic blows over, it’s clear that in many cases, the benefits of telework far outweigh the challenges. The bottom line is the pandemic has proven remote work is possible, and now is the time to formalize it. Here’s why:
Physical limitations are eliminated.
In the past, companies were bound by geographic limitations, forced to find the best talent in their market to work in a physical office. With the move to remote work, however, this hurdle is removed, freeing up organizations to hire the best talent for the job regardless of where they are physically located. This also allows for organizations to improve diversity and inclusion within their ranks, which in turn improves the quality of service they’re able to provide to customers and partners.
Remote work leads to more productivity.
With no commute and fewer distractions for many remote workers, there’s an opportunity for employees to reskill and pursue personal or professional development. Increased efficiency and productivity can free up time for employees to explore additional training to either transition to the cybersecurity field or evolve their skill set to further their security career.
In the age of remote work, individuals also have more autonomy to optimize their ideal working times and determine when they’re most effective. Whether you’re a morning person who is able to crank out your biggest deliverables first thing or a night owl who tackles huge projects while everyone else is sleeping, telework allows for the flexibility to work when you work best, rather than being bound by the traditional workday structure.
Happier workers will lead to better retention.
By blurring the once-distinct lines between work life and home life, remote work essentially introduces a “person first, employee second” mentality. Increased productivity and flexibility mean that employees have the opportunity to fit more things that provide joy into their day. For me, that means escaping at lunchtime each day for a quick bike ride. This year I’ll have ridden close to 4,000 miles on my bike, and as odd as it may sound, I have the pandemic to thank for that opportunity.
A happier workforce also means increased employee retention, a challenge that is especially significant in cybersecurity where workers must grapple with constant compliance audits and alert fatigue. In fact, according to a 2019 State of Remote Work report published by Owl Labs, remote workers say they are happy with their jobs 29% more often than on-site workers and indicate they’re 13% more likely than on-site workers to stay in their current job for the next five years.
While some may argue there is no true substitute for face-to-face interaction, the reality is that remote work offers countless benefits, especially for the cybersecurity industry as it continues to face a tremendous talent shortage. Rather than waiting for life to return to “normal,” it’s time for organizations to embrace the future of work and tap into the potential of telework in hiring, retaining and developing cybersecurity talent.
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