Part 2: The Supply Gap: Why the Talent Pipeline Is About to Shrink — With Will Markow

What happens when the cybersecurity talent pipeline itself starts to shrink? In this episode of Project Cyber Ready, I’m continuing our four-part series by sitting down with Will Markow, founder of FourOne Insights and the developer behind CyberSeek, to take a closer look at the data behind the cybersecurity workforce and what it tells us about the future of the talent pipeline. We’ve heard the headlines about hundreds of thousands of open cybersecurity jobs, but what do those numbers actually tell us? Will and I unpack the data behind the commonly cited workforce shortage figures and explore the difference between job openings, actual supply and demand, and the realities facing early-career versus experienced cybersecurity professionals. So what does this mean for employers, job seekers, educators, and workforce organizations? In Part 2, The Supply Gap: Why the Talent Pipeline Is About to Shrink, I explore the forces reshaping the cybersecurity workforce and the challenges we need to address before the pipeline contracts even further. Will and I also discuss skills-based hiring, including how removing unnecessary bachelor’s degree requirements can expand the talent pool and reduce hiring costs. We talk about how traditional HR processes can create barriers for qualified candidates and how AI is changing the hiring process by making it easier for candidates to apply—and harder for employers to identify true proficiency. We also explore what employers can gain by looking beyond traditional credentials and investing in talent-friendly practices like mentorship, personalized skills development, and stretch assignments—and how these approaches can impact hiring, retention, and the cost of building a cybersecurity team. The cybersecurity workforce isn't standing still. Between changing hiring practices, AI, shifting employer needs, and the challenges facing the talent pipeline, we're entering a new phase—and understanding what the data is really telling us is an important first step toward preparing for what's next. This is Part 2 of our four-part Project Cyber Ready series. Join me and Will Markow as we dig into the data, look beyond the headlines, and explore what employers and communities can do to build a stronger cybersecurity workforce pipeline. 🎧 Listen in and let’s keep the conversation going. Connect & Join the Movement: Website: https://wecyberup.org/ LinkedIn: Connect with Tony Bryan | Connect with Will Markow Subscribe: Hit follow on your favorite podcast app so you never miss an episode in our 4-pillar rotation.