Broke Cyber Pros Flock to Cybercrime Side Hustles

Broke Cyber Pros Flock to Cybercrime Side Hustles

March 8, 2024 at 04:51PM

A new trend in cybersecurity sees professionals turning to the Dark Web for extra income, posing challenges for enterprises and raising concerns about insider threats. With layoffs and economic uncertainty driving this shift, industry experts stress the need for improved employment, training, and support to address the skills gap and bolster morale.

The meeting notes highlight a concerning trend in cybersecurity, with professionals turning to the Dark Web for extra income, and the resulting challenges facing enterprises and the industry. The Chartered Institute of Information Security (CIISec) report reveals the increase in cyber professionals offering their skills on the Dark Web, highlighting the pressing need for employment and ongoing training within the field as identified by Devin Ertel, CISO at Menlo Security.

The pressure on the remaining cyber workers due to layoffs and consolidation in the sector is leading to stalled salary growth, making the cybercrime side hustle increasingly appealing. The impact of this trend is alarming, with concerns raised about insider threats due to declining morale across the industry. There’s also a growing recognition of the need for better understanding of the roles in cybersecurity, matching them with the right employees, and providing professional development opportunities and career paths for cybersecurity talent.

In addition to addressing the cybersecurity skills gap, there is an urgent need to focus on mental health and stress management among cybersecurity teams, as highlighted by ColorTokens VP Sunil Muralidhar. The disproportionate burden on security professionals in safeguarding organizations with limited resources is leading to high stress levels, emphasizing the importance of addressing mental health and stress management in the industry.

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