Cybersecurity on the agenda: Skill gaps worsen India's cyber-defence system

Owing to the immense demand for cybersecurity professionals, the employee base will touch 305,000 by 2022

In an attempt to strengthen the cyber-defence system, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology may ask small enterprises to hire chief information security officers (CISO), media reports said. While the increased focus on cybersecurity is a welcome move, experts warn scarcity of skilled workforce could leave the industry striving for professionals.

In its recent report, ISACA, a global association for IT professionals, said over 60 per cent of Indian organisations had unfilled cybersecurity positions. In comparison, 42 per cent of companies reported that their cybersecurity team was understaffed.

According to a Nasscom-Data Secu­rity Council of India (DSCI) report, the