https://www.engineeringnews.co.za

Tapping into neurodiversity for new cyber security skills

18th June 2018

     

Font size: - +

This article has been supplied as a media statement and is not written by Creamer Media. It may be available only for a limited time on this website.

British Telecommunications plc  (0.03 MB)

Rob Partridge, Head of Commercial Development, Penetration testing

Organisations and governments, alike, have every reason to be concerned about the rising threat levels they face today; rarely a week goes by without security hitting the headlines around the world. But, are hiring processes benching the very technical skills needed to combat the rapidly rising number and complexity of these threats?

Cybercrime is big business – to the tune of an estimated $600 billion USD a year worldwide - which is also up from up from $500 billion USD estimated in 2014. The reality is that it’s only becoming a greater threat every day, as more people and devices connect to the Internet. Leaving organisations and governments grappling to define their cybersecurity strategy, institute protocols and safeguards, train staff and – most severely – secure and retain cyber security skills to manage all of the afore mentioned.

Research by ESG found that a shortage of cybersecurity skills remains problematic for 51% of their survey respondents. A report by ISACA notes that as threats and attacks are increasing, while the skills and resources needed to combat these are growing, they are growing at a reduced rate – and even when compared with previous years.

So, as demand for scarce cybersecurity skills remains high, it’s time to think outside the proverbial box on what to look for and how to train the next generation of cyber security experts.

The “I just fell into it” complex

It’s common when speaking with individuals – and even highly experienced executives - currently working in cybersecurity that they will say “I just fell into it”. Here’s the thing though; as the industry stands, this kind of career progression — currently the norm — isn’t creating the level of skillsets desperately needed.

Diversifying to secure much needed skills

It’s inescapable that to overcome this shortage a steady influx of skilled, educated and specifically-trained people is needed. Otherwise, there’s no hope in fighting the ongoing battle against cybercrime.

This will require focused apprenticeship programmes being instituted – aimed at providing foundation and full degree purposes training courses.

But, there is another angle that should certainly be explored further – tapping into neurodiversity.

Individuals on the autism spectrum – and similarly those with Asperger’s, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) etc. - have a different set of skills to neurologically typical people. For example, people with Asperger's or autism tend to treat problem-solving in a completely different way. They are often structured, technical thinkers, detail-orientated, with strong skills in mathematics and/or pattern recognition – enabling them to process and analyse information differently.

Also, they often think much more literally, and the way they approach a problem is unique. One common advantage of this is in the area of numbers — which can be a significant bode in the cybersecurity space. The mathematics side of cyber security can be complex, where more often neurodiverse people can grasp processes very quickly.

Though many neurodiverse people are intelligent and often excel in schools and tertiary education, they are faced with interpersonal challenges. Unfortunately, the traditional interview process is often an insurmountable barrier to neurodiverse people gaining meaningful employment, as often these candidates are rejected because of a lack of communication skills. This is short sighted of traditional hiring practices.

There is a wealth of talent that can be accessed, but this will require a firm understanding of neurodiversity and a business wide mindset change towards neurodiverse people.

The future of security

Focusing on apprenticeships, and making sure that any schemes are open to neurodiverse candidates, is a great way to create a steady stream of skilled, eager and expert cybersecurity practitioners. Doing so also gives organisations an opportunity to invest in people who are too easily and often left behind when it comes to work – it’s more than just a good notion; it makes good business sense.

 

Edited by Creamer Media Reporter

Comments

Showroom

Werner South Africa Pumps & Equipment (PTY) LTD
Werner South Africa Pumps & Equipment (PTY) LTD

For over 30 years, Werner South Africa Pumps & Equipment (PTY) LTD has been designing, manufacturing, supplying and maintaining specialist...

VISIT SHOWROOM 
Booyco Electronics
Booyco Electronics

Booyco Electronics, South African pioneer of Proximity Detection Systems, offers safety solutions for underground and surface mining, quarrying,...

VISIT SHOWROOM 

Latest Multimedia

sponsored by

Option 1 (equivalent of R125 a month):

Receive a weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine
(print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
Receive daily email newsletters
Access to full search results
Access archive of magazine back copies
Access to Projects in Progress
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format

Option 2 (equivalent of R375 a month):

All benefits from Option 1
PLUS
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports, in PDF format, on various industrial and mining sectors including Electricity; Water; Energy Transition; Hydrogen; Roads, Rail and Ports; Coal; Gold; Platinum; Battery Metals; etc.

Already a subscriber?

Forgotten your password?

MAGAZINE & ONLINE

SUBSCRIBE

RESEARCH CHANNEL AFRICA

SUBSCRIBE

CORPORATE PACKAGES

CLICK FOR A QUOTATION







sq:0.621 0.711s - 158pq - 2rq
Subscribe Now