Report Reveals 4 Million Cybersecurity Job Gap in Nigeria and Beyond

A recent report published by the International Information System Security Certification Consortium (ISC2) has uncovered a pressing global issue in the cybersecurity field. It has highlighted a staggering gap of 4 million unfilled cybersecurity jobs on a global scale, a problem that is particularly pronounced in Nigeria and South Africa, where they have a significantly lower number of cybersecurity professionals compared to other countries.

Nigeria, a country that is rapidly advancing in the technology sector, is grappling with a significant shortage of cybersecurity experts. As of 2023, Nigeria had only 8,352 cybersecurity professionals. South Africa, its fellow African nation, reported a relatively higher number with 57,269 cybersecurity professionals. The numbers revealed in this report reflect a stark disparity between African countries and other regions in the world.

The report, conducted by ISC2, did not provide detailed figures for the number of professionals needed in each country, except for the global estimate of 4 million cybersecurity professionals. However, it was evident that American and European nations boasted a far greater number of cybersecurity experts in comparison to their counterparts from other continents. The United States, for example, reported a staggering 482,985 cybersecurity experts, while Brazil had 231,921, highlighting the significant shortage of professionals in Africa, particularly in Nigeria.

The growing demand for cybersecurity professionals worldwide has resulted in a profound imbalance between the supply of qualified experts and the ever-increasing requirements for their services. Despite an 8.7% increase in the global cybersecurity workforce, which reached 5.5 million in 2023, the ISC2 report emphasized that the demand for cybersecurity professionals continues to outstrip the supply.

The report stated, “ISC2 estimates the global cybersecurity workforce at 5.5 million, representing an 8.7% increase year over year and nearly 440,000 new jobs. All regions saw growth this year, but these gains are particularly high in our two new Middle East countries, Asia-Pacific, and North America. Japan, in particular, is growing rapidly — 24% year over year.”

The report goes on to point out, “Despite the continued growth in the workforce, ISC2’s cybersecurity workforce study revealed that demand is still outpacing supply. The workforce gap grew an additional 12.6% this year, with the greatest rise in Asia-Pacific (especially Japan and India) and North America. Areas with particularly rapid growth in supply like the Middle East and Latin America are starting to finally see demand catch up such that the workforce gap actually shrank this year.”

The “workforce gap” referred to in the report signifies the disparity between the number of cybersecurity professionals organizations require to ensure their security and the actual number of cybersecurity professionals available for hire. It’s important to note that the workforce gap doesn’t aim to estimate the current job market for cybersecurity professionals but highlights the shortage in qualified experts.

In a perplexing twist, despite the pressing need for more cybersecurity professionals, the study reveals that the current macroeconomic environment is compelling many organizations to implement cost-saving measures, including budget cuts, layoffs, hiring freezes, and promotion freezes. ISC2 notes that these cutbacks, especially within cybersecurity teams, have repercussions that extend beyond mere financial concerns.

Cybersecurity professionals play a vital role in safeguarding organizations against risks and vulnerabilities. Cutbacks in this area can significantly impede their productivity, satisfaction, and skill development. The report underscores the fact that such measures have a direct impact on the day-to-day work of cybersecurity professionals, offering organizations an opportunity to assess and improve their strategies.

ISC2, a non-profit organization specializing in training and certifying cybersecurity professionals globally, has undertaken this study to shed light on the evolving landscape of the cybersecurity workforce. Notably, this year’s report included data from Nigeria, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates for the first time, allowing for a more comprehensive view of the cybersecurity workforce challenges faced by these nations.

In conclusion, the report by ISC2 highlights the pressing need for cybersecurity professionals globally and underscores the significant gap that currently exists in the field. While Nigeria and South Africa face particular challenges in terms of the shortage of experts, the demand for cybersecurity professionals continues to surge worldwide. Organizations must recognize the critical role cybersecurity experts play in safeguarding their operations and prioritize measures to address the growing workforce gap in this vital field.