As we look ahead, the cybersecurity profession faces many challenges. From a global workforce gap to technologies like AI requiring new approaches to secure them - it’s clear that cybersecurity needs more support and investment than ever.

The future of the cybersecurity profession is top-of-mind for cybersecurity professionals, leaders and their organizations. Lack of skilled workers, job vacancies, hiring freezes, layoffs, and increased demand are concerns for both hiring managers and cyber pros. Subject matter experts across multiple industries will discuss strategies and solutions for these challenges at a virtual event providing cyber professionals an opportunity to connect and learn how to build stronger security teams while earning more than five CPE credits. Pre-registration is required to earn ISC2 CPE credits and access recordings. Register now.

The two-day virtual event, free for ISC2 members, ISC2 Spotlight: Future of the Cyber Workforce, will kick off on Tuesday, September 10 at 10:00 am ET moderated by Brandon Dunlap.

Dan Houser, ISSAP, ISSMP, CISSP, CCSP, CSSLP, CC, Chair, ISC2 Board of Directors; Lisa Young, CISSP, Vice Chair, ISC2 Board of Directors and ISC2 Instructor Simon Salmon, CISSP, CCSP will give their insights on the workforce gap for the profession. They’ll share, as leaders, how they’ve successfully created programs to upskill new entrants to the industry that may come from non-technical backgrounds and provide mentor opportunities for career changers bringing in more diverse and skilled professionals into their organizations.

The event’s agenda continues with sessions discussing the latest research from ISC2’s 2024 Cybersecurity Workforce Study, the future of AI, simplifying security systems and how companies can run more efficient cyber operations as the workforce gap widens.

Future of the Cyber Workforce Agenda:

Tuesday, September 10

Bridging the Gap: Challenges in the Cyber Workforce

In this powerful opening discussion, Bridging the Gap: Challenges in the Cyber Workforce, our presenters will discuss key questions and insights on bridging the gap between the current and future state of the workforce such as:

  • How does the profession skill up for the future, both in terms of new entrants, new skills, and diverse teams?
  • What global standards are needed to ensure more harmonization across the profession globally and ensure skills are valid and transferable?

Dan Houser, ISSAP, ISSMP, CISSP, CCSP, CSSLP, CC, Chair, ISC2 Board of Directors

Lisa Young, CISSP, Vice Chair, ISC2 Board of Directors

Simon Salmon, CISSP, CCSP

SSE: Why the Future of Cybersecurity Requires Simplicity, Sponsored by HPE Aruba Networking

In an era where cyber threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated, the need for teams to adopt a streamlined and efficient cybersecurity strategy has never been more critical. This webinar will explore the imperative of simplifying cybersecurity through the consolidation of tools and the integration of security and networking teams via Security Service Edge (SSE).

Join us to discover how a unified approach can help your organization stay ahead of threats while fostering collaboration between security and networking teams.

Jaye Tillson, Director of Strategy, HPE

Gram Ludlow, Director, Security PLM, HPE

Boosting Cyber Teams: The Future of Managed Security Services

This fireside chat session will take a forward-looking approach at how to forge a collaborative managed security partnership from both a provider’s and client’s point of view. Attendees will learn more about this relationship: finding a culture fit, communicating ongoing needs and expectations as the relationship evolves and new cyber threats emerge, and innovations in tools and technologies to consider adopting, such as Gen AI. Additionally, this session will offer glimpses into rationalizing technology, addressing risk, and identifying cybersecurity operations that may be outsourced to managed services in the coming years.

Harpreet Sidhu, North America Cybersecurity Lead for Accenture

Matthew M. Pecorelli, Deputy CISO and Vice President, Mars, Global Services

Wednesday, September 11

The Future of AI: Tools & Techniques to Prepare Your Organization

This talk delves into how you can use your existing tools, techniques, and methodologies to facilitate a seamless transition to an AI-assisted workforce. By focusing on Organizational and Data Governance driven by Risk Assessments / Business Impact Analyses (BIAs), Data Network Flow Diagrams, Data Loss Prevention (DLP) / Data Classification, we will explore a comprehensive approach to strategizing, planning, assessing, and mitigating for the unique challenges AI technologies pose. If your organization doesn't have all these tools and techniques in place yet, here is an opportunity to fill the gaps all while preparing your organization for AI.

Mark Schnitter, CIO, Nexigen

Christophe Foulon, CPF Coaching LLC

Cyber Workforce Growth Slows and Pressures Mount, Employers Must Act

The 2024 Cybersecurity Workforce Study reveals the global active cyber workforce has stalled at 5.5 million people. Despite the clear need for more professionals in the field, an unprecedented threat landscape and persistent skills gaps, layoffs, budget cuts and other economic challenges suggest investment in cybersecurity talent is slowing for the first time since ISC2 began estimating the size of the global workforce six years ago. We will dive into what professionals and cybersecurity leaders need to know so they can encourage employers re-evaluate the risks of reducing their investment in hiring, skills development and fostering the next generation of cyber professionals.

Marinda Hamann, Lead, Global Research, ISC2

View From the Top: Effective Cybersecurity Leadership

As a current cybersecurity leader, or an aspiring leader, it is imperative that you have not only technical skills, but also carry the ability to build and sustain impactful relationships that will position your organization for success. From being able to communicate clearly to executive leaders by translating cyber risk into business language – to leading teams responsible for governing and enforcing strategic initiatives –cybersecurity executives must be able to win support, impact change, and gain respect.


Join our panel of leaders, who will share key insights on some of the skills that are necessary to be an effective cybersecurity executive including:

  • Collaboration with internal and external stakeholders
  • Crisis management skills
  • Employee management, including managing stress/burnout
  • Aligning security projects to business needs
  • Promoting internal security awareness/culture compliance

Jonathan Kimmitt, CISSP, Chief information Security Officer, Alias Cybersecurity

Simone Petrella, President, N2K Networks
Phil Zongo, CEO & Co-Founder, Cyber Leadership Institute