Attracting the best cyber talent can be a challenging task, especially if it’s your first hire, and you don’t predominantly work in the sector. Hiring and getting it right is imperative within the cyber security industry as it is a business-critical area.
Hiring talent in this space have become more and more competitive and it can be hard to get the right fit for your needs. We’ve collated some tips to help you attract the best talent in cyber.
Networking at Cyber Events
Attending industry events, conferences, and meet-ups is an excellent way to get your brand out there and meet a network of professionals. Learning more about the sector may help when making the decisions of what you need. This can also be a great way to discuss with others where your company’s security stance is at the moment and gain valuable information around the hires you may need to make.
Ensure the job advert is specific and unique
Too many adverts on the market are copied and pasted without any real understanding of what the role actually is. Listing lots of skills that aren’t specific to the role will not only hurt your reputation, but it will lower the chances of you getting a diverse pool of candidates. Highlight unique perks or benefits of the job and include information about the company culture and values.
Clearly define the role
Like most business areas it is very important to ensure that you have clearly defined what the role means within the company. This would mean the right person understanding where they fit within the business, the structure, the goals as well as why the need for a professional now. This well help them understand how important the role is within the company and if what is being asked is realistic. Being open and transparent around budget and growth is also very important throughout the process as it may come back to bite you later.
Ensure the package is right for what you are asking
Ensuring that you are competitive with package is a way to ensure that you can get the best talent. Remember money isn’t everything, being able to tell your story and where you see opportunities for growth and career development, can be enticing as well as paid certifications. Whether that’s working remotely or having a more flexible schedule. Organisations that offer these types of arrangements will be more attractive to candidates who are looking for a better work-life balance. That being said you will still need a competitive salary!
Foster a culture of learning and development
Cybersecurity professionals need to be lifelong learners, as the field is constantly evolving. Organisations that provide opportunities for learning and development, such as training programs, workshops, and certifications, will be more attractive to candidates who are looking for a career path that will allow them to grow and advance.
Commitment to ED&I
Equality, inclusion and diversity are essential when hiring within the cyber security field. A diverse and inclusive workforce brings a range of perspectives and ideas, which can help to identify and mitigate potential vulnerabilities and threats. Additionally, having a diverse team can foster a positive and inclusive working environment, where all team members feel valued and respected. To ensure that these values are upheld, employers should establish clear guidelines and protocols for hiring and promoting employees, and actively seek out candidates from underrepresented groups. This can include offering training and development opportunities to help employees from diverse backgrounds to advance in their careers. Overall, a commitment to equality, inclusion and diversity is essential for building a strong and resilient cyber security team that can effectively protect against cyber threats.
Move quick to get the right talent
The market moves rapidly, so you have to do the same. 2 stage interview processes are the norm with some of the more dynamic companies managing to get through this process in as little as 7 days. So if you are hiring, allow time in your diary for CV review and interviews with a structured timeline.
These are a few things that should increase your chances of hiring in the Cyber space and ensure you integrate the right talent to be able to form a strategy to protect you and your business.
This article is in partnership with TechSPARK UK as part of their Talent Month.
InfoSec People is a boutique cyber security and IT recruitment consultancy, built by genuine experts. We were founded with one goal in mind: to inspire people to find the careers that inspire them. With the success of companies fundamentally driven by the quality of their people, acquiring and retaining talent has never been more important. We believe that recruitment, executed effectively, elevates and enables your business to prosper.
We also understand that cyber and information security recruitment can genuinely change people’s lives, that’s why we take the duty of care to those we represent very seriously. All our actions are underpinned by our core values:
- Always do the right thing
- Be the best we can be
- Add value
We work with businesses in the cyber/tech arena, from start-ups and scale-ups to FTSE100 and central Government, many of whom are always looking for great people.
Call us directly on 01242 507100 to discuss opportunities or email info@infosecpeople.co.uk.