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CIISec: high salaries do not save you from physical and psychological problems.
According to a new report from the Information Security Institute (CIISec) for 2023-2024, cybersecurity professionals in the UK earn significantly higher salaries compared to the national average, but face serious burnout issues.
Based on a survey of 311 professionals, the average salary in the cybersecurity sector reached £87,204 ($110,000), more than double the UK average salary of £34,900 ($44,000). Since the publication of the first CIISec report in 2016-2017, wages have risen by 29% - from £62,144 ($78,400) to the current level. Adjusted for inflation, real growth was 7%.
Positive dynamics are observed in all segments of the industry: about 18% of professionals now earn more than £150,000 ($189,000) per year, up from only 7% in 2016.
However, high salaries are accompanied by serious professional risks. According to the survey, 55% of respondents suffer from insomnia due to work stress, 39% are afraid of a heart attack. Every fifth specialist (21%) is considered overworked.
The situation is aggravated by the lack of qualified personnel. The majority of respondents (72%) named the personnel issue as the main operational problem, while processes and technology are of concern to only 17% and 11%, respectively.
The lack of diversity in the industry exacerbates the staffing shortage: only 19% of specialists enter the profession without higher education, and the share of women is only 10%. Notably, only 41% of employees plan to remain in their current position in the next two years.
CIISec CEO Amanda Finch notes that many of the industry's challenges, including the ever-changing threat landscape, are beyond the control of companies. However, the issues of hiring and retaining personnel are quite solvable at the level of employers.
Special attention in the report is paid to artificial intelligence (AI). Experts are divided: 89% believe that the technology will benefit attackers, and 71% see a positive impact on network defenders. When planning the use of AI in work (85% of respondents), an alarming trend was identified - 44% of organizations do not understand the associated risks and do not have policies for the safe use of technology.
According to experts, the cybersecurity industry urgently needs to build up knowledge about the threats posed by AI, especially generative AI, while the technology is at an early stage of development. Particular attention should be paid to educating novice professionals who will have to withstand AI attacks for decades.
Source
According to a new report from the Information Security Institute (CIISec) for 2023-2024, cybersecurity professionals in the UK earn significantly higher salaries compared to the national average, but face serious burnout issues.
Based on a survey of 311 professionals, the average salary in the cybersecurity sector reached £87,204 ($110,000), more than double the UK average salary of £34,900 ($44,000). Since the publication of the first CIISec report in 2016-2017, wages have risen by 29% - from £62,144 ($78,400) to the current level. Adjusted for inflation, real growth was 7%.
Positive dynamics are observed in all segments of the industry: about 18% of professionals now earn more than £150,000 ($189,000) per year, up from only 7% in 2016.
However, high salaries are accompanied by serious professional risks. According to the survey, 55% of respondents suffer from insomnia due to work stress, 39% are afraid of a heart attack. Every fifth specialist (21%) is considered overworked.
The situation is aggravated by the lack of qualified personnel. The majority of respondents (72%) named the personnel issue as the main operational problem, while processes and technology are of concern to only 17% and 11%, respectively.
The lack of diversity in the industry exacerbates the staffing shortage: only 19% of specialists enter the profession without higher education, and the share of women is only 10%. Notably, only 41% of employees plan to remain in their current position in the next two years.
CIISec CEO Amanda Finch notes that many of the industry's challenges, including the ever-changing threat landscape, are beyond the control of companies. However, the issues of hiring and retaining personnel are quite solvable at the level of employers.
Special attention in the report is paid to artificial intelligence (AI). Experts are divided: 89% believe that the technology will benefit attackers, and 71% see a positive impact on network defenders. When planning the use of AI in work (85% of respondents), an alarming trend was identified - 44% of organizations do not understand the associated risks and do not have policies for the safe use of technology.
According to experts, the cybersecurity industry urgently needs to build up knowledge about the threats posed by AI, especially generative AI, while the technology is at an early stage of development. Particular attention should be paid to educating novice professionals who will have to withstand AI attacks for decades.
Source
