COVID creates grad gap

We all took a hit during COVID, well maybe not Jeff and Mark, but you know what I mean.

One trend we noticed at Decipher was the distinct gap in cyber grads taken on during COVID. With everyone working from home, senior team members weren't onsite to provide the day-to-day onboarding, training, mentoring and oversight that grads need to get up to speed. There just wasn't the capability for companies to take on grads in 2020.

This isn't the case in 2021; people are getting back to work, back into their offices, and companies are taking on grads again. But in an industry with virtually 0% unemployment, this gap in grads adds strain to an industry already grappling with talent shortages. Particularly if you take this gap forward over the next 2-3 years. After cutting their teeth for their first few years, grads step into a range of analyst roles. But this void of grads in 2020 is going to ensure that toilet paper isn't the worst shortage to come from COVID.

Adding pressure to talent shortages is the continual increase in demand for cyber security staff. SOC as a service is predicted to triple over the next 4 years with Asia Pacific to account for most of that growth.

So what can you do?

For companies, if you find a grad with potential and enthusiasm, take them on and help them get up to speed. It'll be good for your company, good for your cyber security function and it'll help ease future talent shortages. Decipher can help you find the best new talent entering the scene.

For grads, just because you've finished tertiary education doesn't mean you've finished learning. This is a fast-paced industry, so you'll always be learning. Focus on self-learning and keeping up with changes. Also focus on developing your network. Connect with the cyber sec community through meet ups and conferences. And connect with specialist recruiters like Decipher, we have the relationships to know who's hiring before it's even advertised.