Dive Brief:

• The majority of IT professionals on the job today do not consider themselves proficient with cybersecurity, according to a recent survey. In fact, only 19% report having advanced security/cybersecurity knowledge, according to Spiceworks. 
• By generation, only 15% of millennials report expertise in the area, while 22% of Gen Xers and 26% of Boomers do.
• Finally, only 13% report advanced knowledge of database solutions and voice over IP (VoIP), Spiceworks says; and only 9% believe they possess advanced skills in cloud architecture and application development.

Dive Insight:

In an environment of almost daily data breaches, the numbers may be troubling for employers. Cyber breaches are among the top risks facing businesses, according to insurance company insiders. It’s estimated that 70% of employees don’t know how to prevent a data breach, and employers struggle to find IT workers proficient or specializing in the field.

Demand is only expected to increase. Nearly 2 million unfilled cybersecurity jobs are projected by 2022. The skills gap in cybersecurity will likely widen as competition for skilled workers continues to grow. The good news for employers is that 51% of IT professionals polled are showing an interest in pursuing cybersecurity. Schools are paying attention, too, offering increased programming in the field for degreed and non-degreed coursework.

And while businesses are investing heavily in cybersecurity tech, they may not be spending enough on workers, according to a security association study. Of the companies polled, 62% said they're probably not providing sufficient training for their professionals.