An Investigation into the Cybersecurity Skills Gap in South Africa.

South Africa is currently one of the largest targets for hackers and cyber terrorists in the world. With the increase in such cyber threats, there is a growing need and demand for IT professionals with the requisite cybersecurity skills and knowledge to combat and mitigate these threats. However, an ever- increasing cybersecurity skills gap has been identified both globally and in South Africa. This study investigated the cybersecurity skills demand, needs, and challenges of IT professionals in South Africa by reporting on IT professionals’ perceptions in this regard. An online questionnaire, distributed to IT professionals using various online platforms, was used to gather this information. According to the findings of the study, there are several challenges, such as lack of time, lack of funding and lack of resources, that South Africa must overcome in order to address the cybersecurity skills gap. It was also found that the perception is that higher education institutions (HEIs), organisations and the South African government are not investing enough into cybersecurity skills development. Without the right cybersecurity skills set and investment in the development of cybersecurity skills, cyber threats will continue to increase and will potentially become more harmful to South African organisations and to the South African society at large.