Nukudo, a local cybersecurity staffing agency, is helping fill some of those gaps
SAN ANTONIO — A former cybersecurity official with the National Security Industry (NSA) warned Wednesday that proposed mass layoffs of probational federal employees could be devastating to cybersecurity across the country. Right now, the industry is already suffering from a massive shortage in cybersecurity experts.
Even with the shortage in workers, Apple has pledged to invest $500 billion over the next four years, included is the build of a 250,000 square foot server manufacturing facility in Houston. Local cybersecurity experts say this underscores Texas’ growing prominence in the technology sector.
“We’ve had a significant number of people of both professional and technical folks move to the Texas market. And I think it’s just a testament to the benefit and value of operating in Texas,” said James Faxon, the resident chief information security officer from cybersecurity staffing agency, Nukudo.
Faxon says filling those jobs and anymore that are coming down the pike, is incredibly important to the safety of our country.
“I think from a nation perspective or even a corporation perspective, we’re constantly having to evolve our security program to stay in front of the threat,” said Faxon.
Data from Cyberseek says in the U.S., 457,000 cybersecurity positions are unfilled. The Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts 33% growth for “information security analyst” roles in the next eight years through 2033. That is much faster than all other professions, which are expected to grow by 4% over the next decade.
But even though there is a large number of positions open and more likely on the way, Faxon says the glass isn’t always half empty and Nukudo is stepping up.
“Many times there’s opportunities in in value in bringing in new, fresh perspectives and ideas to help us continue to evolve our programs and enhance them to make them as strong as they can be,” Faxon said.