Businesses across nearly every industry in the UK are faced with an ever-expanding technical skills gap. Unfortunately, due to an increased shortage of applicants with the necessary expertise and qualifications required to fill open roles, this gap shows no signs of closing, says Ariel García, Senior Manager, Technical Community Programs at the platform HackerOne.
In fact, a recent Government report estimated that as many as 44% of UK businesses now face skills gaps in basic technical areas.
While new technologies such as artificial intelligence have made us more efficient at finding security issues at scale, the industry still requires a human-in-the-loop approach to apply the judgment required to solve business-critical issues. Taking full advantage of AI requires technically skilled employees.
The cybersecurity sector faces one of the most acute skills gaps. According to a 2024 report by the World Economic Forum, there’s currently a shortfall of nearly four million cybersecurity professionals worldwide. What’s more, this figure is only getting bigger as demand for qualified professionals grows year on year. As businesses struggle with exhausted recruitment pipelines, there is one largely unknown source waiting to be tapped: gamers.
Untapped potential
On the face of it, it can be hard to see the path from video games to cybersecurity, but upon further inspection, it becomes clear they are more alike than they seem. Both avenues require similar cognitive capabilities, and with gaming transitioning from a niche hobby to a global industry, there are plenty of candidates to choose from.
Gaming is no longer solely a form of entertainment. Increasingly, it is being recognised as a fun, yet impactful educational tool. It is a creative and interactive way for workers to train and learn new skills. Across the cybersecurity sector, gamifying applications could prove the perfect bridge to introduce gamers to the industry. This can help encourage the next generation of cybersecurity professionals, helping them learn core skills in a familiar, risk-free environment that they enjoy.
Many of the key skills that enable people to succeed at video games are closely aligned with those required by cybersecurity professionals:
- Strategic thinking
One of the most important of these skills is the ability to outthink opponents. Whether it be a single-player role-playing game or an online team-based strategic shooter, adversity is ever-present in video games – and it is through overcoming this opposition that players can advance. There are a lot of parallels to this in the cybersecurity industry. There is always someone trying to get past defences in some way, shape or form. It takes numerous skills, ranging from fast decision-making and planning multiple steps ahead, to thinking outside the box and acting swiftly and decisively when needed, to fight back against these attacks.
- Fast reactions
Similarly, gamers are often faced with tricky situations that require them to make difficult decisions fast. Quick decision-making is an essential skill for any cybersecurity professional. With attacks often coming without warning, being able to assess a situation and react with a timely and effective response is vital. If these decisions aren’t made fast enough, the fallout could be catastrophic.
- Teamwork
One of the most essential skills a gamer must have, particularly when playing multiplayer games, is teamwork. A core component of many video games, working effectively within a group is vital to team success. This rings just as true in the realm of cybersecurity. Team members must be able to execute their individual roles in harmony with those around them to achieve common goals. Being able to work and thrive amid a team of passionate individuals is essential to working as a cybersecurity expert. The ability to work alongside each other, learning, supporting and honing their skills, leads to a team that is better equipped to deal with the wide and varied array of attacks that cybercriminals will employ.
- Overcoming challenges
It is a rare moment when a video game can be completed without having to overcome an obstacle of some kind. Games often gatekeep key items, equipment and information behind problems of varying difficulties, with some even requiring the solving of complex puzzles to unlock new levels. The ability to solve complex problems is, therefore, a vital skill for gamers to have. This is a vital mentality for cybersecurity professionals, as each attack presents new and unique challenges. The ability to tackle these issues and identify the best way to remediate them is invaluable in a cybersecurity expert.
- Solving problems
Finally, there tends to be an innate drive in gamers to see projects through to the end, completing every side quest and finding every collectable along the way. This could mean putting hundreds of hours in, requiring a focused mindset. This dedication is key when it comes to identifying cybersecurity breaches and securing systems. An individual who is always on the lookout to improve and challenge themselves, constantly aiming for the next objective, will empower teams to match pace, leading to collective improvement. Having this driving factor within one of the most crucial aspects of the organisation can benefit businesses.
With the cybersecurity skills gap continuing to widen, businesses are consistently having to look in new places for the talent they require to build and maintain their cyber defences. While it may not be the first demographic that springs to mind when looking for a talented cybersecurity professional, gamers should be considered, especially given the number of highly transferable skills between the two industries. When provided with the right training and toolsets, the gamers of today can become the defenders of tomorrow.
