As we encounter the next generation of cyber threats, the potential impact of rapid technological advances and geopolitical shifts is clear. In our work with clients, we often see them dealing with these consequences after the event – leaders often do not have the appetite, or more frequently the resources, budget and expertise in their teams, to become early adopters of major change. In an era where managing risk within cyber operations is far more complex and threat actors are increasingly sophisticated, organizations can’t afford to remain passive. We are entering a time when the punch-and-counterpunch strategy of the past is not enough, and organizations are becoming increasingly focused on being several steps ahead of threats.

In our role as providers of talent that makes a difference to cyber teams, Hamlyn Williams sees itself as a key partner in this endeavour. Businesses are transforming to meet these challenges, perhaps most notably in their talent acquisition and workforce development strategies. As a leading staffing agency in the cyber security market, proudly equipping organizations with the necessary talent to navigate this complex digital environment, we take the pulse of these changes every day.

From our perspective at the coal face of the cyber talent conversation, we have developed a clear understanding of the current trends, their future implications, and, critically, how people and organizations can best equip themselves in the future to stay ahead of threats. In this report, we share some key trends from our work in cybersecurity at the intersection of geopolitics, potential threat vectors to critical infrastructure, the impact of government regulation, and the unique challenges faced in the manufacturing industry. We also suggest ways of overcoming future challenges with actionable insight drawn from the common obstacles cyber leaders have articulated in our conversations with them.