Recruiters in 2024: The Race to Fill CISO, CLO, and CFO Roles as Demand Soars

There has been a significant shift in the global talent market over the past few years, with many jobs no longer tied to a location and broader international recruiting pools. One key trend that is emerging is a significant surge in demand for executive roles. In particular, Chief Legal Officers (CLO), Chief Information Security Officers (CISO), and Chief Financial Officers (CFOs). How can you successfully attract the best talent if you plan to recruit for any of these roles in your company?

1. The Rise in Demand for CISOs

Why is there a massive demand for CISOs? Globally, cybersecurity threats are an escalating and continual menace to commerce and infrastructure. Organizations impacted by a cyber attack can take months to recover. For example, a cyber attack on United Health-owned Change Healthcare in February 2024 caused significant disruption with the prescription processor to health services in the USA when payments and claims could not be processed.

Organizations face increased pressure to protect their data and ensure compliance with continually evolving regulations. They also face risk mitigation and the challenge of staying two steps ahead of cyber hackers who are ever more sophisticated in their criminal acts. The CISO role is critical in organizations today and one that recruiters are focused on. They are actively hunting for CISOs with significant risk management experience, a strong knowledge of cutting-edge technology, and the leadership capability to build effective security teams.

2. CLOs Take Center Stage

Legal challenges and complexities are significant issues for organizations today. With continuous changes to legislation and regulations, keeping on top of the legal aspects is a full-time job in itself. CLO roles have moved on from simply providing legal counsel. Today, a CLO provides strategic advice at an executive level and leads on corporate governance and issues such as intellectual property and the legislation on merger cases. Understanding and complying with complex, sensitive data laws is critical in any company, particularly where a business stores sensitive information.

Regulatory frameworks are becoming tighter globally, so recruitment teams actively seek a CLO with expertise in compliance, international law, and crisis management. A seasoned CLO can save an organization time and money and protect a business’s reputation by embedding a robust legal framework in the company.

3. CFOs Lead in Financial Strategy

Global conflicts, economic uncertainty, and rising inflation are critical issues for organizations today, making the Chief Finance Officer role critical. The war in Ukraine impacting global supply chains is an example affecting finance in businesses today. If you thought a CFO’s role was merely concerned with a company’s financial health, it’s far from reality, although that is, of course, their priority. Today, a CFO also drives long-term strategy, handles acquisitions and mergers, and ensures financial transparency. They will also have a sharp focus on analytics and data to inform robust decision-making in your organization. A CFO with a firm grasp of strategic vision, financial acumen, and agility is critical for a business. Today, many CFOs look at predictive change, such as the impact of environmental change on the finances of a company. In particular, those CFOs who can steer organizations through volatile markets and financial instability are highly sought after by recruiters.

With all these executive roles, recruiting the best candidate means the teams they create will also be strong and dynamic. Their leadership in developing talented workers so they are ready to step into senior roles in the future creates opportunities for staff and makes your organization an attractive workplace.

Takeaway: Why Recruiters Are Key to Finding the Right Talent

Demand for the best CFOs, CISOs, and CLOs exceeds supply within the available talent pool. With your attention focused on your business, do you really have time to conduct a robust search for the best fit for your company? That’s where a recruiter will help you in your quest for new executive officers.

Recruiters work across extensive networks and use targeted search strategies to find the ideal candidate. They also have an in-depth understanding of the leadership qualities and skill sets required for these roles. Competition for the best executives is fierce and shows no sign of abating. Therefore, partnering with specialized recruiters will save you significant time and effort and is the best way for your organization to attract talented people and retain high-demand executives.

In 2024, businesses across a wide range of sectors are prioritizing legal governance, cybersecurity, and financial leadership, so these roles are critical to an organization’s success. Recruiters are stepping up efforts to meet this surge in demand and are focused on finding the best talent for companies.

If you are looking for a CLO, a CISO, or a CFO, start your executive search by speaking to a specialized recruiter. It’s the first step to building your executive team with the best talent and creating a strong, dynamic C-suite.

The Trevi Group | “Executive Search for Technology Professionals” | www.TheTreviGroup.com

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The Evolution of Technology Jobs in Manufacturing

The manufacturing sector is constantly undergoing upheaval due to ongoing supply chain issues and talent shortages. However, one of the most significant transformations is how technology has shifted the important roles of manufacturers. 

Once upon a time, mechanical engineers may have been most sought after. Today, manufacturers may prioritize seeking out experts in the Internet of Things (IoT) or software integration specialists as often as they recruit for more practical roles like maintenance technicians.

With Gartner reporting that 54% of manufacturing firms plan to increase tech spending throughout 2024 and beyond, the industry is experiencing rapid change. Understanding how that impacts the trending jobs and roles manufacturing recruiters will have to fill helps business leaders prepare for the future.

Key Roles and Skills

Manufacturing leaders can start formulating that plan by understanding the increasing need for highly technical team members. Here are just a few of the technology jobs that will become more prevalent throughout the industry in the very near future.

Automation Engineers

Automation has been significant within manufacturing for many years – think robotic arms helping to assemble an automobile. However, as automated tasks become more complex and human intervention becomes more remote, the need for skilled automation engineers is increasing.

A talented automation engineer can:

• Design systems and processes that streamline production

• Troubleshoot and fix automated tasks and processes

• Train team members on how to work with automated machines

While automated manufacturing equipment and sensors are vital, the automation engineer is a stark reminder that there must always be a human element to ensure safety and practicability.

Data Analysts

One of the top trending jobs in many technology-oriented roles is the data analyst. In manufacturing, data analysts may collate data on various processes and use that data to improve efficiencies. They can help leaders increase production, reduce waste, and even improve quality control.

Cybersecurity Specialists

As manufacturing facilities become more connected, the risk of cyberattacks increases. Every manufacturing firm should have some sort of cybersecurity protocol in place. Hiring specialists in this area could save costs in the long run by preventing cyberattacks that halt production.

Maintenance Technicians

Of course, manufacturers will always need to fill the maintenance specialist role. Maintenance technicians ensure machines are checked over regularly and repaired to the highest standards when necessary.

However, today’s technicians may need additional skills. They may need to understand how to take apart and clean an industrial 3D printer or other tools associated with additive manufacturing. They may also need to work closely with data analysts, utilizing historical data and predictive algorithms to create a maintenance schedule that provides the smallest amount of downtime.

Maintenance technicians can be the key to ongoing business continuity with the right tech focus.

Emerging Trends

Each of these roles carries different duties. Those continuously change and adapt to accommodate and integrate emerging technologies. Below are just a few of the directions in which manufacturing technology roles are shifting.

AI and Machine Learning

AI (artificial intelligence) and machine learning represent the use of complex algorithms to mimic human intelligence and learning. A data scientist can pull startling insights from a mass of raw data but AI can do the same faster and with much greater volumes of data. 

Expect to see AI-powered business intelligence (BI) platforms at the forefront of manufacturing efficiency improvements.

Additive Manufacturing

Additive manufacturing combines digital 3D modeling, automation, and 3D printing to create just about anything. While home 3D printers make models and toys, industrial 3D printers can create everything from rare automobile components to bridge struts. 

Expect to see additive manufacturing become a major aspect of industries like construction, transport, and various utilities as the technology advances. Experts are already exploring the possibilities of multi-material additive manufacturing which could make the process applicable in so many more use cases.

Sustainability

Operating sustainably is a priority for many manufacturing organizations. Research shows that 79% of manufacturers have implemented a net-zero carbon production initiative, although the deadlines for achieving that ambition differ among organizations. 

Data analysis plays a major role here, helping reduce waste and increase efficiencies for faster, less pollutant production. Automation can also help create more remote and hybrid manufacturing teams, reducing the need to travel to multiple facilities and further cutting an organization’s carbon footprint.

Hiring For an Evolving Manufacturing Industry

Recruiting more tech specialists experienced in advanced and emerging technologies provides manufacturers with a future-proof workforce. Leaders who seek out those with the right skills and a forward-thinking mindset ideally position their organizations to lead the drive toward efficiency in modern manufacturing.

The Trevi Group | “Executive Search for Technology Professionals” | www.TheTreviGroup.com

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Cybersecurity and Governance Solutions: A Top Priority for the Legal Sector in 2024

Cybersecurity is a major priority for organizations in the legal sector as cybercrime continues to rise and increasingly stringent government compliance requirements are introduced. 

The American Bar Association (ABA) reports that law firms are attractive targets for cybercriminals due to a combination of handling large volumes of personal data and a lack of technical competencies. While the volume of organizations with policies in place for data governance is increasing, solo attorneys are still far more likely than larger law firms to stay abreast of both relevant technologies and rapidly shifting regulations. However, legal organizations that fail to move with the times could face severe financial and reputational repercussions.

Why Cybersecurity and Governance are Critical for the Legal Sector

Investing in cybersecurity is a must for legal firms that want to ensure that their clients’ data is properly protected. Cyber threats are on the rise in 2024, in both volume and diversity. At least 40% of organizations believe that cyber threats will severely impact their performance in 2024. With threats like ransomware as a service (RaaS) and phishing becoming more versatile all the time, that’s not an unfounded fear. 

Whatever aspect of the legal sector your firm operates in, you deal with sensitive information every day. That means you have a responsibility to use that data appropriately, protect it, and keep it secure and, above all, confidential. A breach of confidentiality can be a major problem for any legal organization.

Data security is also necessary to ensure regulatory compliance. All organizations must comply with data privacy laws such as the GDPR or CCPA. Failure to protect personal data can lead to hefty fines.

However, financial penalties aren’t the only concern for legal organizations that fail to protect data. If a breach occurs and data is leaked or stolen, that damages the reputation of the firm and it’s no longer seen as trustworthy by its clients. 

Emerging Cybersecurity and Governance Solutions in 2024

Various solutions are emerging to help legal firms handle the complexities of cybercrime and data governance.

Advanced Threat Detection: AI-powered threat intelligence and real-time monitoring can constantly assess networks for vulnerabilities and report potential issues in real-time. 

Zero Trust Architecture: Many legal organizations are turning to zero trust architecture, a multi-layered security solution based on the philosophy that no device or user has automatic authorization to access the company’s networks. Zero trust platforms constantly check and recheck aspects like device type, IP address, authentication details, location, and many more factors to ensure that every authorization matches the current security protocols.

Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Platforms: Legal firms can invest in integrated software solutions for managing regulatory compliance, risk, and data governance.

Cybersecurity Training: One of the most vital steps a law firm can take is to actively encourage a cybersecurity-conscious workforce. Employee training on how to identify risks and manage data can prevent breaches and ensure organizations remain in line with government compliance regulations. IBM states that 90% of cyber-attacks are caused by human error and are potentially avoidable with better-educated teams.

The Importance of Recruiting for Cybersecurity and Governance Roles

With that in mind, it’s essential that legal firms consider the skill sets of the employees they hire. An understanding of data protection and cybersecurity basics should be required for all roles within your organization.

If you’re looking to hire a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) or Chief Technology Officer (CTO) you should know that there’s a high demand for these professionals within the legal sector. Those with experience in cybersecurity and data governance are particularly sought after, so be prepared to make your benefits packages appealing to stand out from the crowd.

Filling these specialized roles is critical if you’re hoping to get ahead of the curve when it comes to battling cyber threats and protecting data. A data breach at a law firm could mean the difference between a successfully closed case and one that’s dismissed out of hand. Hiring a team that can oversee your overall data governance strategy, improve your cybersecurity posture, and analyze your networks for vulnerabilities is a must.

However, it’s not quite as simple as putting up a job posting and hoping for the best. The market for data-based professionals is crowded and highly competitive. Plus, there’s a shortage of candidates with the required skills. Demand for cybersecurity specialists is outpacing the rate at which individuals become qualified — the skill gap in this field has increased 19% year on year.  

How to Partner with a Recruiter to Fill Cybersecurity and Governance Positions

There are ways to make filling your data governance and security positions simpler. Find a recruitment partner that understands the industry and can help you post in the right places. Great recruitment advisors can help you leverage modern digital marketing techniques to target new audiences and even increase the diversity of your workforce while sourcing top talent.

Creating the right job description can also shorten your time to hire. Make sure you define exactly what skills you need and, if the role requires specialist certifications or qualifications, ensure those are noted in the essential requirements.

Many recruiters will have networks of passive candidates either through their own channels or via third-party platforms. These can be a great source of talent with niche expertise.

Whoever you work with to help you fill your cybersecurity roles, ensure they’re aware of the legal nature of your business and your company culture. That will help you find employees who understand your specialism and fit right in. 

Takeaway: Prioritizing Cybersecurity and Data Governance is Essential for Your Legal Organization

With legal firms handling huge volumes of sensitive client data, protecting it via effective data governance policies and cybersecurity protocols is essential. Partner with a trusted recruitment expert to find qualified candidates who can help ensure your firm stays compliant and maintains its good reputation.

The Trevi Group | “Executive Search for Technology Professionals” | www.TheTreviGroup.com

#thetrevigroup #recruitingtrends #informationtechnology #employmenttrends #jobmarket #hiringtrends

Why State-Sponsored Cyber Attacks are a Global Threat

State-sponsored cyber attacks can wreak havoc on a foreign country's IT infrastructure and cause billions of dollars of damage. As a result, government agencies and other organizations are looking for cybersecurity professionals such as threat hunters, security architects, and intelligence analysts to overcome this ever-growing problem. Learn more about these cyber attacks and the damage they cause below.

What Is a State-Sponsored Cyber Attack?

This type of event occurs when a government sponsors or carries out a cyber attack against another government or organization in a foreign country. State-sponsored attacks (SSAs) happen for various reasons:

• To infiltrate computer systems and IT infrastructure

• To exploit governments and organizations for money

• To gather intelligence

SSAs involve more resources than regular cyber attacks and can cause long-lasting damage to a foreign government or business. For example, cybercriminals can steal intellectual property and military intelligence from a government. Hackers can even penetrate critical infrastructure, such as electricity grids and water systems.

An example of a SSA is the 2017 WannaCry ransomware attack, which impacted computers running the Microsoft Windows operating system. Hackers stole data from hundreds of thousands of businesses and demanded ransom payments in Bitcoin. The United States government publicly attributed the attack to North Korea.

State-sponsored cyber attacks have become more widespread in recent years. For example, the Russian government has used this type of cyber warfare during its war with Ukraine. SSAs have impacted Ukrainian infrastructure and disrupted operations.

As you can see, SSAs have the power to influence international politics. Many governments view these attacks as acts of war that impact relationships between countries.

How to Fight Back Against SSAs

In 2018, The Council of Foreign Relations urged governments to cooperate when dealing with SSAs to protect critical infrastructure and the global economy. The organization's recommendations included restarting negotiations about cyber issues between the US and Russia, the countries with the most advanced cyber powers. The Council of Foreign Relations also suggested starting discussions about a global cybercrime convention that included Russia and China, who were previously reluctant to address SSAs. One problem is that it's difficult to attribute SSAs to a foreign government. That's because the hackers behind these attacks are highly sophisticated and often mislead governments to protect their anonymity. Even if two attacks look similar, it doesn't mean they are from the same attacker.

The Council of Foreign Relations says:

"Governments and the global technical community should develop improvements and updates to core internet protocols to make cyber incident attribution more effective on the technical level."

Diplomacy is key here. More governments need to work together to fight back against state-sponsored attacks. However, that can be difficult if countries are wary of each other's motives. It's unlikely the problem of SSAs will go away any time soon.

Hiring the Right Staff to Counteract SSAs

Cybersecurity professionals with SSA experience are highly sought after by governments and organizations around the world. These professionals have the skills and knowledge to identify potential attacks, stop them from causing damage, and attribute a cyber attack to a nation-state or its agents.

Some of the most in-demand jobs in this sector right now include:

Threat Hunters

These professionals analyze large amounts of data to "hunt" for cyber threats in computer networks. That involves combing through log data to look for security vulnerabilities, acting on the latest security intelligence, and scanning networks and other infrastructure.

Security Architects

Security architects detect vulnerabilities like threat hunters. However, they also design systems that can prevent SSAs and other cyber attacks from happening.

Intelligence Analysts

Intelligence analysts take a proactive approach to cybersecurity by analyzing information that can prevent or mitigate a state-sponsored attack. These professionals often have experience in counterterrorism and financial crime.

How to Hire the Right Cybersecurity Professionals

Solving state-sponsored cyber attacks involves diplomacy and governments working together. However, the right cybersecurity professionals can prevent these events from happening and causing widespread damage to critical infrastructure and financial systems.

MRINetwork is a recruiting firm that places cybersecurity professionals in your organization, helping you solve the problem of SSAs and other security events. The organization fills gaps in your workforce and removes the challenges of hiring and recruitment. Find an MRINetwork office near you today and connect with talent advisors who can help you find top talent in your industry.

The Trevi Group | “Executive Search for Technology Professionals” | www.TheTreviGroup.com

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Forbes Recognizes MRINetwork for the Eighth Year in a Row

MRINETWORK Recognized by FORBES eight years in a row.

Each year since 2016, Forbes — a global leader in business news and information — has surveyed thousands of HR managers, hiring authorities, job seekers and external recruiters to answer a simple question: “Who are the best recruiting firms in the U.S.?”

For the seventh consecutive year, MRINetwork has been recognized as an elite performer among the thousands of executive search firms meeting Forbes criteria in “filling positions with salaries of at least $100,000.” In fact, Forbes and their survey partner, Statista, has not only ranked MRINetwork for 2024 in the top 10 for America's Best Executive Recruiting Firms, but also awarded recognition for MRINetwork in their America's Best Professional Recruiting Firms, and America's Best Temp Staffing Firms categories.

We are proud to receive this designation for the eighth consecutive year.

The Trevi Group | “Executive Search for Technology Professionals” | www.TheTreviGroup.com #thetrevigroup

How the Cybersecurity Industry is Hiring More Women and Impact on the Workforce

(Pixels)

According to WiCys, women only represent a quarter of cybersecurity staff. While inclusion and diversity are vital to the success of any industry, it's especially relevant in cybersecurity. Cybercriminals come from different backgrounds, so it's essential to have diverse professionals acting on these threats. Hiring more women in cybersecurity can improve teamwork and reduce the vast skills gap. Read on to learn why there are few women in cybersecurity and how hiring more could benefit the industry.

Only 25% of Cybersecurity Professionals are Women.

Many STEM careers have few women despite years of fighting for inclusion. This is especially obvious in cybersecurity, where only a quarter of the workforce is female in 2023.

While this is low representation, it's still an improvement from 2019, when women represented 20% of the cybersecurity workforce, and worlds apart from 2013, when a measly 11% of the cybersecurity workforce was female.

The cybersecurity industry is one of the few fields that still battles inclusion and diversity staff. Not only are women underrepresented, but ethnic staff only represent 22% of the workforce. This is puzzling, considering the cybersecurity industry has a skills gap of 3.7 million unfilled jobs.

Why Are Women Still Underrepresented in Cybersecurity

While women have made considerable strides in previously male-dominated fields like astronomy and engineering, cybersecurity has been a hard nut to crack for a few reasons:

Gender Disparities in STEM

There's sufficient evidence that women are disadvantaged in STEM education, a stepping stone into a cybersecurity career. Many female students are discouraged from taking STEM courses, diverting their ambitions from engineering, science, and tech careers.

Inadequate Role Models

The lack of visible female role models in the cybersecurity industry has discouraged many girls from pursuing their goals in the cybersecurity field. With only 11% of women in cybersecurity in 2013, the industry was male-dominated, with only a few women to look up to. However, there's been a steady rise in female leaders in tech, including Jen Easterly, the director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.

These women have been fighting tirelessly for inclusion and diversity and are responsible for the 14% increase in women's representation in cybersecurity in the past 10 years.

Public Perception

Due to the media's portrayal of cybersecurity experts as young men in hoodies in a dungeon, there are a lot of myths and wrong perceptions around the career that keep women out.

For instance, there's the perception of long hours and high-pressure environments in cybersecurity. This discourages women with caregiving responsibilities from taking an interest in the field.

Why We Need More Women in Cybersecurity

The cybersecurity industry has a massive skills gap, so we need as much talent as possible. Here are a few advantages of having more women in cybersecurity:

Diverse Skill Sets

Women have many unique skills that could benefit the cybersecurity industry. These include attention to detail, practical communication skills, and analytical thinking.

Improved Teamwork

According to a 2016 McKinsey & Company report, teams with diverse members were likely to be more financially successful. Having diverse points of view can improve a team's problem-solving and decision-making abilities, which is essential in the cybersecurity industry.

Social and Ethical Considerations

Ethical and social dilemmas often face the cybersecurity industry. Increasing diversity will bring more voices to decision-making and oversee inclusive security resolutions.

Bottom Line

While women are still underrepresented in cybersecurity, diversity in the industry has significantly improved in the last decade. Join the growing movement by increasing diversity in your company and experience the benefits of having well-rounded teams. Follow MRINetwork for more related topics and insights into the future of hiring.

The Trevi Group | “Executive Search for Technology Professionals” | www.TheTreviGroup.com

#thetrevigroup #recruitingtrends #informationtechnology #employmenttrends #jobmarket #hiringtrends

Hiring Cybersecurity Professionals During a Labor Shortage

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There are now 4.7 million people working in the global cybersecurity industry — that's more cybersecurity professionals than ever before. However, the sector still needs more than 3.4 million workers to fill an increasing number of job roles. This shortage makes it difficult for HR managers to recruit the staff needed to protect their company's systems, networks, and other IT infrastructure. In this article, learn the reasons behind the current drought of cybersecurity experts and how to recruit individuals with expertise for your organization.

Why is There a Shortage of Cybersecurity Professionals?

There are a range of reasons for the current cybersecurity worker shortage, including a growing lack of interest in IT among young people, a lack of skills to handle the latest cyber threats, and burnout among cybersecurity professionals.

Young People are Choosing Other Careers

In the past, cybersecurity was a popular career path among college students. However, there's currently a lack of interest in this role from young people entering the job market.

Perhaps that's because other technology positions offer higher salaries than cybersecurity jobs. The average income for a cybersecurity analyst in the United States is $96,955 a year. While this salary is well above the national average, a data scientist can earn considerably more, with the average income for this job amounting to $137,212 a year. Other higher-paid positions like data engineering and AI engineering might mean fewer young people want to enter the cybersecurity field.

A lack of skills to manage the latest threats

Hackers are getting smarter, with new types of cybersecurity threats emerging all the time. As a result, cybersecurity experts should continuously learn skills and find ways to protect their organizations from dangers. However, many cybersecurity professionals lack the talent to manage the newest threats, making them less desirable than their more experienced peers. That increases the demand for the most qualified cybersecurity workers, especially when there aren't enough of these individuals on the market.

Burnout Research shows that 84% of cybersecurity workers in North America experience burnout. Several factors increase stress levels for these professionals, including working long hours, a lack of resources, and the pressure to come up with critical IT solutions for companies. Burnout can be detrimental to the industry and cause individuals to leave their cybersecurity jobs. That increases the number of available positions for experts on the market.

How to Find Cybersecurity Professionals

It's harder than ever to source the right cybersecurity experts for your company. Follow the tips below to increase your chances of securing top talent:

Post opportunities on cybersecurity job websites Job boards like CybersecurityJobs.com and Infosec-Jobs.com let you connect with cybersecurity experts, helping you find the right person to fill your open position. You can view resumes from individuals and message them directly on these platforms, improving your talent search. Alternatively, you can post a vacancy on social media and find the best professional for your team.

Consider professionals in remote locations

If most of your infrastructure is in the cloud hiring a professional from a remote destination makes sense. In the global economy, you can work with cybersecurity specialists based in any location in the world and achieve the same outcomes as keeping an expert in-house. For example, finding a qualified individual in a country with a cheaper standard of living could mean they ask for a lower salary, saving you money.

Work with an employment agency

The best employment agencies remove the work associated with filing a cybersecurity role in your organization. These agencies have links with the best experts on the market and can attract them to your company with advanced recruitment strategies, such as showcasing the benefits of working for your team.

Hire Cybersecurity Experts Now

Despite the current labor shortage, there's no reason why you can't find the cybersecurity professional you need. Post your vacancy on industry-specific job boards, consider hiring from abroad, and work with a reputable employment agency to optimize your talent search.

MRINetwork is a leader in cybersecurity recruitment, helping you find the best talent to protect your organization from threats. Follow The Trevi Group to learn more about hiring, cybersecurity, and other topics.

The Trevi Group | “Executive Search for Technology Professionals” | www.TheTreviGroup.com

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The Future of Hiring, Challenges of HR Directors in Cyber Security: DevSecOps Integration

The human resource department in any organization plays a critical role in cyber security. HR is privy to some of the most sensitive information. This department holds a company’s banking details, the list of employees, their birth dates, and social security numbers. Hackers and other cyber criminals crave this kind of information, necessitating HR directors to devise ways to keep data safe.

One of the most practical ways HR could improve an organization’s cyber security is in the hiring process. As an HR head, you must ensure you’re not hiring someone with a dubious record. However, you should conduct the hiring process above aboard; otherwise, you risk getting accused of discriminatory practices. In this blog, we’ll discuss the hiring challenges that HR directors face in DevSecOps integration.

Importance of DevSecOps in Cyber Security

The first practical step to secure an organization’s cyberspace is during software development. Usually, the end product is secure and efficient when the software development lifecycle (SDLC) is appropriately structured. Many companies today employ DevSecOps in software development to achieve these critical objectives.

DevSecOps refers to integrating security testing into the entire software development process. The acronym stands for Development, Security, and Operations. DevSecOps is an advancement of DevOps, the software development method that preceded it.

When companies use DevOps for software development, they implement security at the end of the process. While it made sense to isolate security from development and operations in the past, the rise in cloud computing has made it more feasible to integrate the three processes.

Using DevSecOps in the SDLC process has distinct advantages. The integration enables organizations to:

• Save time as the organization undertakes the entire process through short cycles

• Minimize disruptions that are common with DevOps

• Identify security threats early

• Respond quickly to identified threats.

While DevSecOps is the ideal software development strategy, companies need to catch up in adopting it. Most organizations globally intend to implement DevSecOps, but by 2021 only 30% of surveyed companies had implemented it.

However, the slow implementation does not cast doubts about DevSecOps’ popularity. While the DevSecOps market value was $3.73 billion in 2021, market surveys projected it to increase to over $40 billion by 2030. So, what factors have contributed to the slow implementation of a system that has attained such global popularity? What challenges will you likely encounter as an HR director in DevSecOps integration?

Challenges That Affect DevSecOps Implementation

DevSecOps implementation is prone to a host of challenges, including:

Change Resistance

In every organization, you’ll find plenty of people who are defenders of the status quo. Since this is a relatively new software development method, HR directors might have difficulty getting different departments to cooperate. Some departments might perceive this collaborative effort as a compromise to their autonomy. Consequently, resistance to change could hinder successful implementation.

Limited Resources and Staff Knowledge Gap

Implementing DevSecOps is costly, and many organizations need more resources for implementation. While a substantial portion of the implementation cost will be staff education, many organizations have limited training budgets.

Since implementation requires cooperation by employees from different departments, the knowledge gap between staff members from other departments could pose a significant problem. While the developers could possess excellent coding skills, they might lack other critical security skills, such as development skills. Therefore, training different expert teams to get on the same page is costly and time-consuming.

Cloud Infrastructure Complexity

Many large organizations have hundreds of cloud accounts. The different accounts could be using a vast range of cloud services. Frequent changes in the cloud could prove disruptive to the company’s business as it might have to try very hard to keep up.

Getting the Right Staff for Your DevSecOps Project

Staff quality is critical in the success or failure of an organization’s DevSecOps project. As an HR director, you must get the best available workforce. If you’re using current employees for the project, ensure they get adequate training. To help your organization overcome DevSecOps integration challenges, contact the professionals at The Trevi Group.

The Trevi Group | “Executive Search for Technology Professionals” | www.TheTreviGroup.com

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Building a Resilient Incident Response Plan for Corporate Security

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Corporate security is a top priority when it comes to safeguarding the data systems and communications of your organization. Threat actors continue to develop sophisticated cyber attacks that compromise some of the most well-established cybersecurity infrastructures, with industry studies revealing that over six million data records were exposed to data breaches in the first quarter of 2023 alone.

A resilient incident response plan enables your company to react effectively against the evolving tactics of malicious parties aimed at evading security controls. But how do you build one?

Defining Roles and Responsibilities in Incidence Response

Incidents require swift responses. One crucial aspect of ensuring this lies in clearly defining the roles and responsibilities of your incident response team. A well-established set of duties enables teams to focus on their respective roles efficiently in high-pressure environments.

While resilient incident response teams may comprise different structures, they typically include the following contributors:

• Incident Response Team Leader/Manager: The head of the incident response team with the overall responsibility to oversee the decision-making during a crisis. Leaders ensure that teams follow the outline of a response plan in coordinated efforts to resolve and mitigate ongoing issues.

• Responders: The team members responsible for handling the operational and technical duties in mitigating the identified issues.

• Communications Lead/Manager: These team members offer the skills and expertise to handle every aspect of incident response communications. They ensure smooth communication among internal and external stakeholders and strategically release information to the public.

• Scribe: The team member responsible for logging the comprehensive details of an incident for documentation and investigative purposes.

• Customer Support Lead: Team members tasked with communicating with the public and providing the assurance of ongoing efforts in fixing the issue.

• Social Media Lead: These contributors manage the social media channel updates during incident responses, working closely with customer support leads in collecting timely customer feedback and responding strategically.

• Forensic Analyst/ Problem Manager: Experts who examine the root cause of the incident and brainstorm for strategic measures to prevent reoccurrence.

Establishing Communication Channels and Escalation Procedures

The next step of a resilient incident response plan involves a clear breakdown of communication procedures and informing each involved role about the expected escalation steps and response times. A robust escalation process should begin with a formal activation procedure for your incident response team. Consider implementing an alerting mechanism that triggers alerts across multiple communication systems to mobilize response teams during a detected incident.

Communication is Key

Your team’s communication manager should rapidly notify the public to prevent any speculation among external stakeholders. External parties may form foregone conclusions with the lack of data which could compromise your corporate image. As such, it is important to present clear and concise information when presenting the issue to the public. Managers should work closely with technical teams for accurate details and apply strategic language (written and verbal) in managing public concerns.

Your team should consider implementing a pre-approved communication template to expedite responses during a time-sensitive situation. These templates should outline the general communication details (i.e., quality, channels, response times, and frequency) for an incident response while teams can quickly customize fields based on incident specifics.

Conducting Regular Tabletop Exercises to Test the Effectiveness of the Plan

It is important for your incident response team to constantly test and improve the effectiveness of your plans. Tabletop exercises enact the environment, threats, and considerations in a simulated incident for accurate response.

Regular tabletop exercises help you identify the response times of individual members and identify weaknesses, mistakes, and areas for improvement that could undermine an actual operation. Your team should also monitor critical incident response metrics to accurately measure the effectiveness of team collaboration. These metrics may include the speed of identifying and responding to the root cause of an incident, the time taken for leaders to reach a specific decision (such as broadcasting information across social media channels), and the quality of documentation.

Documenting Lessons Learned and Continuously Improving The Plan

Your response team should make a detailed and reliable record of each outlined issue in your tabletop exercises and take proactive measures to prevent them. For example, in a simulated scenario of regulatory and compliance breaches, your team could improve the response times in the reporting and remediation of legal requirements. Similar to a routine fire drill, repeating these exercises minimizes the risk of missteps that might disrupt or delay your crisis response.

It is crucial to conduct a post-incident meeting with every involved party to discuss the lessons learned and follow-up action to avoid future incidents. These meetings apply to tabletop exercises and actual incidents. Every participant should contribute by highlighting the key learning points and assessing practical methods for strengthening existing security systems.

Coordinating with External Stakeholders

Finally, your incident response team should discuss and decide if there is a need to involve law enforcement. The decision depends on the severity of the situation, and if the issue can be resolved by internal investigative teams. Your incident response plan should assign the person or parties with the authority to notify law enforcement and the criteria for doing so. Teams should also consider working closely with a trusted external legal advisor to decide the best course of action.

An experienced counsel can assess the situation from a legal perspective to justify the cost, efforts, and potential complications involved in pursuing law enforcement. It is important

to note that law enforcement could increase public attention toward the incident, which would require strategic stakeholder communications.

Closing Thoughts - Optimizing Corporate Preparedness With Incident Response Plans

Ultimately, it is important to recognize cybersecurity issues as more than a technical issue but one that undermines an organization as a whole. Preparing your corporate team for the unexpected ensures the swiftest and most coordinated responses in the worst-case cybersecurity scenarios. By doing so, your company can stay resilient and productive in a digital landscape of constant cyber concerns.

The Trevi Group | “Executive Search for Technology Professionals” | www.TheTreviGroup.com

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Mitigating DDoS Attacks Through Protocol Protection

Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks occur when traffic to a network is disrupted. These attacks have evolved and grown in sophistication in recent years.

Understanding the role of network protocols and leveraging protocol-specific security features are crucial elements of implementing an effective cyber security plan. It’s also necessary to ensure you’re hiring the right individuals for each security role in your organization.

The Role of Protocols in Mitigating DDoS Attacks

Protocols are the backbone of a network system that safely facilitates communication and the data transfers between devices. 

For example, the Transport Layer Security (TLS) ensures communications remain secure and unaltered. Secure shell (SSH) provides secure file transfers and remote login across unsecured networks. Secure HyperText Transfer Protocol (SHTTP) includes several security measures such as establishing firewalls and creating strong passwords.

Correctly setting up these network protocols ensures that all devices are as secure as possible from cyber attacks, including DDoS attacks.  This means an organization must have employees who understand how network protocols operate together to reduce and eliminate DDoS attacks. You’ll therefore want to create a hiring strategy to ensure you always have the best employees managing your cyber security strategies. 

Techniques for Detecting and Blocking Malicious Traffic

The following are general steps to take when implementing network protocols for detecting and blocking unwanted traffic.

• Recognize Unusual Traffic Patterns: This includes anomaly detection and heuristic analysis to identify abnormal traffic patterns. Machine learning algorithms are more advanced methods of detecting malicious traffic.

•  Include IP Address Blocking and Black Hole Routing: IP address blocking is particularly effective against brute force attacks. Black hole routing is a method of discarding traffic without processing it.

• Train Top Employees: Hiring the best IT professionals and maintaining training in the latest cyber security and network analysis methods is crucial. You may consider contract staffing and interim placements when hiring top talent to fill cyber security positions.

Implementing Rate-Limiting Controls at the Protocol Level

Developing and implementing rate-limiting controls is something only an experienced cyber security professional should handle because of the complexities involved. This starts with knowing which of the following rate-limiting systems to use.

• Server Rate-Limiting: This includes limiting the requests made to an individual server within a particular time frame. This method helps reserve resources.

• IP Rate-Limiting: This type limits the amount of requests within a certain time frame. It specifically blocks requests from individual IP addresses.

• Geography Rate-Limiting: This method limits requests from regions or specific areas. This can help you remain legally compliant within certain areas.

There are several algorithm types a cyber security specialist can use when implementing rate-limiting.

• Leaky Bucket Algorithm: Excess requests leak out when the bucket is full. Overflowing requests are rejected or delayed.

• Token Bucket Algorithm: Tokens in a bucket are removed as requests are made.  Requests are rejected or delayed when tokens are all used.

• Fixed Window Algorithm: This involves a counting algorithm that blocks requests within a fixed timeframe after reaching a certain amount.

Leveraging Protocol-Specific Security Features

You’ll need to determine what security features you’ll use and where they’ll fit into your overall network protocols protection plan. The following are several specific cyber security features you may want to use. 

• Encryption Algorithms: These programs convert unencrypted text or data into encrypted. The most basic encryption protocols include TLS/SSL, IPsec, and Secure Shell.

• Access Controls: Access controls validate each user’s identity. Access control protocol examples include Attribute Based Access Control (ABAC), Discretionary Access Control (DAC), and Mandatory Access Control (MAC).

• Network Protocol Tools: This includes customizing a Web Application Firewall (WAF) and installing, maintaining, and updating mitigation software. 

• Key Management: Secure key exchange ensures only intended receivers decrypt communication.

• VPN Installation: Using a Virtual Private Network enables employees to access a network safely outside of your facility.

Collaborative Defense Strategies for Combating DDoS Attacks

There are several ways collaborative efforts can reduce or eliminate DDoS attacks. The following are a few examples.

Following Government Regulations: Knowing and adhering to all federal and local regulations will help keep your systems as safe as possible.

Working With Law Enforcement: Both the FBI and Homeland Security provide helpful information and resources for combating DDoS attacks.

Working With Security Vendors: Organizations should work closely with companies and individuals who can offer the best cyber security strategies to combat DDoS attacks. This includes finding an experienced recruitment firm to fill all your cyber security staffing needs.

Contact The Trevi Group

You need expert leaders in the cyber security field to ensure your information systems and network protocols are as secure as possible. The Trevi Group can partner with your company in the recruitment process. We have over 16 years of experience and over 200 firms in dozens of countries. Contact us today for more information.

The Trevi Group | “Executive Search for Technology Professionals” | www.TheTreviGroup.com

#thetrevigroup #recruitingtrends #informationtechnology #employmenttrends #jobmarket #hiringtrends