Do personality types matter when it comes to hiring security talent?

In an increasingly connected world, one of the biggest threats faced by organisations is cyber crime. Research from IT security firm Malwarebytes shows that attacks against companies have grown by 55%, with CSIS claiming that they cost the global economy $600 billion annually.

As cyber security threats increase in both complexity and number, businesses must bolster their security teams in order to identify and mitigate risks. A report from Gartner predicts that spending in this area will top $124 billion over the coming months, up from $114 billion in 2018 and $101.54 billion in 2017.

But when it comes to creating a world-class IT security team, how do companies select the right talent? Many people believe that success is dependent on a certain personality type, whereas others place an onus on diverse teams that encompass varying skill sets to accelerate innovation and problem-solving.

A delimiting process

While many businesses rely on personality testing to hire talent, others see this as delimiting. Melanie Jones, product director for cybersecurity portfolios at Global Knowledge, asks whether the industry can really afford rule out candidates based on their personality as opposed to their capability.

"Recent estimates are putting the cybersecurity skills gap at 3.5 million unfulfilled positions by 2021. So ruling out potential candidates based on their personality could be considered to be a little short-sighted," she says.

"If we are to stand any chance of closing the skills gap, we need to be as open-minded as possible when looking for a candidate. Smart, motivated and dedicated individuals who are able to work as part of a team should be the main drivers.

"An employer is unlikely to find candidates with all of the desired cybersecurity skills, but these skills can be learnt. Someone who is a great pentester may not be good at compliance, so fitting the right individual to the right role is essential if an organisation is to maximise its security team."

Source: Press coverage with IDG Connect – read full article.