How To Hire The Best Cyber Security Experts

According to Statista, global cybersecurity spending increased by more than eight billion dollars within the past year. The reason is clear (more or less). The scope and scale of cyber threats are growing. The demand for skilled professionals exceeds supply. Below, we’ll explain how to hire cyber security expert fast and right the first time.

What Does a Cyber Security Expert Do?

Cyber security experts protect your organization's information systems. They

Identify threats: They monitor and fix vulnerabilities before those are exploited.
Assess and manage risks: They analyze current security measures and say what to do to improve those. They conduct regular security audits and stress tests on systems.
Handle incident response: They develop strategies for responding to security breaches. This typically includes the mitigation of damage and post-incident analysis.
Take care of compliance and training: Thanks to them, all organizational practices comply with laws and regulations. Plus, they train employees in information security.

How to Hire the Best Cybersecurity Experts

Now you know exactly why hire a cybersecurity expert. Let’s see how you can do that right.

Define Your Needs

Your first task is to understand the security challenges that are specific to YOUR business. This is not as obvious as it may seem at first sight so it is best to turn to a trusted cybersecurity services provider for help. They’ll consult you on several areas of security:

Cybersecurity (IT, cloud, network, web application, etc.)
Privacy (GDPR compliance and data privacy)
Cybersecurity compliance (ISO, HIPAA, SOC2, etc.)
Executive consulting (virtual CHRO, virtual CTO, etc.).

The thing is that different industries and businesses face unique threats. Yes, you may know that your financial institution prioritizes experts in financial fraud. Yet, an experienced cybersecurity service provider may be aware of other threats businesses in your field face. That is, their expertise is just broader.

Look for Both Technical and Soft Skills

Yes, technical acumen is non-negotiable but it’s not everything. Effective communication skills and the ability to educate and influence others are equally important. A great cyber security expert must be able to explain complex issues in simple terms. Otherwise, they just won’t be able to guide the organization through the necessary changes.

Again, the skills you are looking for will be tied closely to your business needs, which you identified in the previous step. Here is, however, a list of skills that are more or less versatile and useful, notwithstanding the industry or business size.

Technical Skills	Soft Skills
Network Security	Communication
Cloud Security	Analytical Thinking
Incident Response	Leadership
Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)	Adaptability
Penetration Testing	Ethical Judgment

Ideally, you should also have an idea as to how you’ll assess each skill you are looking for. Some skills can be measured through test tasks. Others — through an interview.

Check Both Certifications and Experience

When looking for information security experts, you will, of course, check certifications such as Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) or Certified Information Security Manager (CISM). These are generally indicators of a professional’s commitment to staying current in the field.

But they aren’t the only indicators of this. Hands-on experience and a track record of success also count. After all, theoretical knowledge must be backed by practical expertise. Otherwise, you’ll be working with someone who knows a lot but can do little with this knowledge.

Consider a Multidisciplinary Approach

Keep in mind that cyber security isn’t confined to hacking and defending (though these are, of course, important parts of it). It likewise involves

legal knowledge
ethical hacking
software development
even forensic analysis.

Successful candidates are thus those who see the big picture. If they do, they’ll be adaptable and innovative.

Use Scenario-Based Interviewing

Such interviews are always a good idea. Present your candidates with hypothetical security scenarios and discuss how they’d solve them. This will give you rich insights into their practical knowledge.

Final Thoughts

All in all, to hire the right cyber security expert, you need to, first and foremost, have a clear understanding of your company’s needs, its strengths and vulnerabilities. Don’t rely on your own expertise in that. Ask professional cybersecurity specialists to consult you. When hiring, try to assess both the candidate’s technical expertise and their cultural fit for your company.

FAQs

1. What are the best practices for assessing certifications in cyber security recruitment?

When assessing certifications, it's important to consider how they align with the cybersecurity frameworks and controls your business employs. Prioritize certifications like CISSP and CISM. These demonstrate a deep understanding of cybersecurity practices and network security.

2. How can my business attract top cybersecurity talent effectively?

Highlight your commitment to best practices in cybersecurity and the implementation of advanced cybersecurity controls. Offer competitive benefits and opportunities for professional development in different cybersecurity roles.

3. What techniques are effective for evaluating the practical skills of cybersecurity specialists during interviews?

Use scenario-based questions that involve common cybersecurity threats and require vulnerability assessment. This helps evaluate a candidate's ability to apply their knowledge of network protocols and operating systems in real-world settings. Practical tests such as configuring a firewall or conducting a live network security audit can also be useful.