There is a gap between the available cybersecurity talent and the number of unfilled jobs in the global cybersecurity workforce, and attendees at a panel Monday at the Capital Factory + The Dallas Entrepreneur Center not only talked about the problem, they came up with solutions, too.

Cybersecurity professionals including Albert Shen of The United Way.; Eli Mercer, dean of the Technology, Health, and Business Division at Tarrant County College; and Nathan Howe, chief information security officer and adjunct professor at University of Texas at Dallas. The event tackled the topic of “An Industry Crisis: Shortage of Cyber Talent.” Elizabeth Caudill, managing director of higher education and workforce at Dallas Regional Chamber, moderated the panel.

“We have to shift our way of thinking, not only in education, but also in the workplace to say, ‘Security is part of our existence.'”
Eli Mercer

Issues affecting the shortage of talent in the cybersecurity field include generational difference, a changing business culture overall, and the mentality of the industry, according to the panel.

Solutions that were offered by the panel mainly revolved around changing that mentality. “We have to shift our way of thinking, not only in education, but also in the workplace to say, ‘security is part of our existence,'” Mercer said.

Other issues that were addressed during the panel included what businesses should do in order to secure better employees and what training providers can do better.