CSP, not 007: Integrated Cybersecurity Skills Training

From mid-sized enterprises to corporate giants, German companies consider IT security to be a key factor today—regardless of their size. In a survey of senior management at mid-sized and large companies, 92 percent of respondents stated that IT security has “high” or “very high” priority in the organization (see Telekom 2015). And they are right to do so: In the Industry 4.0 era, the rise in the intelligent networking of humans, machinery and production processes also increases the risk of attacks. Alerts, attacks and other threats must be countered successfully on a daily basis—and now in a matter of hours, minutes and even seconds. The key challenge here is that IT systems alone cannot win the cat-and-mouse game between hacker and target. Well-qualified IT security experts are also urgently required. So where do we find them? The market for specialists in this segment is exhausted—not least because Germany has yet to provide dedicated vocational training and degrees for defense and security experts. The handful of experts available are much sought-after and therefore very expensive. Long-winded tender procedures also cost time and money—and only provide short-term solutions to the problem.