Offensive Security CEO Talks Cybersecurity Training And Closing Skills Talent Gap

‘I think what’s more important is to hire people who may not have all the skills or all the experiences, but they have the attitude. They are curious. They are self-starters. They try and don’t give up. They are fast learners. And you know what, if you hire people who may be earlier in their career, but they have the right attitude, you will be rewarded,’ says Ning Wang, CEO of Offensive Security.

Two topics that go hand in hand: cybersecurity training and the cybersecurity talent and skills gap.

As a company that focuses on training the next generation of ethical hackers, Offensive Security offers certification programs to give their students the tools to succeed in the industry.

Ning Wang, CEO of the New York City-based company, shared in a CRNtv interview the company’s approach to cybersecurity training, the Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP) certification and what it takes to close the cybersecurity talent and skills gap.

Here’s a look at some of that interview:

What have you noticed about your students as they’re going through your program, and what they have gained from going through the educational training that they need for cybersecurity?

For many students, they start where they’re not sure, but over the course of learning, practicing, and failing, and then succeeding, it builds their confidence, it completely transformed their lives.

What’s your advice as students are going through the training and moving forward?

Don’t be afraid if you don’t know enough. In fact, at OffSec now we have a learn fundamentals product to target people who don‘t have enough IT and networking experience. We teach you. Just put in the effort and try. If you don’t succeed, don’t give up. Try again because eventually you will succeed.

What do you think it is going to take for us to close that skills talent gap in cybersecurity?

One is on the individual side. If you want to get into security, there are so many resources…But on the hiring manager side, we all wish we could find people with years of experience, they are the culture fit, they have all the skills and experiences for the job we want, but there is just not enough of them and we just have to accept that reality.

I think what’s more important is to hire people who may not have all the skills or all the experiences, but they have the attitude. They are curious. They are self-starters. They try and don’t give up. They are fast learners. And you know what? If you hire people who may be earlier in their career, but they have the right attitude, you will be rewarded. You gave them a chance to grow and to shine.