Apparently, there are too many software engineers but not enough security experts around the world. Leading security company Kaspersky Lab in partnership with Dassault Systems, PwC, and Schlumberger have launched a security expert talent discovery program dubbed the Cybersecurity for the Next Generation program.
The program is aiming at enrolling students and young specialists; they don’t necessarily have to come from a security background. The program will award the winner $10,000 grant.
Kaspersky Lab says the lack of qualified IT security talent remains a big concern in the endeavors to establish a high standard for cybersecurity around the world. Last year, 33% of companies around the world admitted that improving their in-house security expertise is among their top priorities. While 48% of them said they are experiencing a serious shortage of qualified security experts.
Kaspersky Lab, having one of the biggest pools of security experts in the world, wants to create a big pool of such technicians around the world. For that reason, the company and its partners are calling for students and young specialists to apply to this program, where they will get to tackle real tasks provided by all the partners behind this program. For instance:
Ø PwC is looking for a solution that automatically aggregates and analyzes security-relevant news on social media.
Ø Schlumberger is looking for software solutions that will secure data stored on its private cloud.
Ø Kaspersky Lab is looking for a ‘not-so-technical’ solutions, the company wants a gamified approach to explaining and teaching security to retails, banks, and healthcare centers.
Riaan Badenhorst, the General Manager for Kaspersky Lab Africa, said, “IT security has become a central element of our digital lives but it is not necessarily a topic that attracts a huge amount of talent, although people working in the industry can expect secure, highly-paid, and challenging jobs.
With this program, we want to demonstrate how interesting and diverse the field is and uncover talent that has so far been hidden. Experts are needed across all industries and we are proud of the pool of experts we have. But we also believe that it is part of our mission to find more talent and let businesses benefit from a broader pool of experts.”
How to Apply
Remember, Kaspersky Lab and partners are calling out to students and young specialists to apply for the Cybersecurity for the Next Generation program. The winner will walk home with $10,000 grant. Virtually anyone can participate, and skills in IT security are not mandatory. Second place winner will get the chance to attend the Kaspersky Security Analyst Summit while third place winner will be sent off to a professional conference on information security. There also special prizes for contest’s partners including gadgets, useful gift bags, and internship opportunities.
To enter this competition, you need to form a group of three and apply on or before October 25, 2017, at SecurityNextGen.com. Successful applicants will be contacted by an expert jury and invited to the contests finals, which will be held in Prague on December 5-6, 2017.
