Gapped Out: Unconventional Strategies for Addressing Cyber Talent Shortage
summary
Argues the problem is an experience shortage not a talent gap and shows concrete fixes: a six month Career Reboot Program that hires people with zero cyber background (started with five, three converted to hires, scaling toward 25), funded two year apprenticeships in the UK (three taken, two retained), and job‑description rewrites to hire attitude over pedigree; quantifies pain with a 50% vacancy rate at one enterprise and warns poaching creates a false economy.
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chapters (14)
- 0:00Introduction and welcome
- 1:03Is there really a talent shortage?
- 6:16Myths about degrees and tech backgrounds
- 12:23From non-cyber backgrounds to leadership
- 14:33Cybersecurity isn’t just for techies
- 16:47The power of giving opportunities
- 17:50Career Reboot Program explained
- 23:50Building talent vs poaching talent
- 26:19Apprenticeships and flexible hiring
- 32:00Retaining and growing cyber talent
- 40:50Lightning round and personal paths
- 42:16McKaela’s career transition into cyber
- 44:24Audience Q&A on hiring success factors
- 51:05Closing remarks and thanks
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