Infosec employers demanding too much from early-career recruits, says ISC2

Cybersecurity hiring managers need a reality check when it comes to hiring junior staff, with job adverts littered with unfair expectations that are hampering recruitment efforts, says industry training and cert issuer ISC2.

According to the organization's latest hiring trends study, entry-level and junior job descriptions contain requirements that "are often difficult or impossible for these professionals to meet."

"This can create a catch-22 – where employers struggle to find qualified candidates and early-career talent is locked out of opportunities that could help them build that very experience," it added. 

"Hiring managers should consider reevaluating their job descriptions and other hiring mechanisms to reflect the true nature of the role, making the distinction between 'nice-to-have' and 'must-have' qualifications clear."

The study showed that more than a third of hiring managers expected early-stage hires to already have advanced certifications such as a CISSP, CISA, or CISM – achievements Dan Houser, a former ...