APAC cybersecurity workforce is growing, but skills gaps in analytics, programming and frameworks remain

Kaspersky data shows that the biggest hard skills shortfalls are in systems programming (62%), framework knowledge (61%) and network technologies (46%), while soft skills gaps center on analytical thinking (48%), problem-solving (43%) and teamwork (41%).

At the same time, 25 percent of APAC respondents said their formal education was only slightly useful or not at all useful in their day-to-day work as cybersecurity/information security professional, while nearly half of APAC cybersecurity professionals (48%) admitted to making mistakes early in their careers due to lack of knowledge, with the most common errors being neglecting data backups (43%), using outdated security measures (43%) and failing to implement identity protection (36%).

Kaspersky’s Cyber Pathways offers a comprehensive look into the essential cybersecurity roles, skills and tools, to empower professionals to chart their career paths with confidence. Featuring an interactive guidance test and personalized learning recommendations, the resource helps users to discover their ideal cybersecurity role. This platform is equally useful for newcomers to cybersecurity, IT generalists, seasoned experts and corporate organizations.  

“What the region needs are professionals who can combine technical depth with strong analytical and problem-solving skills, and that requires structured, practical guidance, not just on-the-job experience," said Adrian Hia, Managing Director for Asia Pacific at Kaspersky. “There are growing efforts to address this, and resources like Kaspersky’s Cyber Pathways are a step in the right direction, giving professionals a clearer map of where they stand and where they need to go”.

Key cybersecurity spheres: Exploring the cybersecurity world happens with ‘Kaspersky Cyber Heroes’, each embodying a vital area of cybersecurity: threat intelligence, malware analysis, security operations, security assessment, network security, and information security research. These heroes are designed to help professionals understand the unique characteristics of each role and identify the key competencies required to succeed in them.

Career guidance test: The project also includes an engaging interactive career guidance test, enabling professionals to assess their current expertise level and identify the cybersecurity role that best matches their strengths and aspirations. The platform offers three tailored test options, catering to different levels of expertise: for beginners in cybersecurity, for advanced professionals, and for organizations.

Customized educational pathways

Building on nearly three decades of unmatched experience and extensive historical data, Kaspersky has developed a unique expertise that not only protects against the most dangerous cyber threats and guarantees top-tier product quality, but also empowers cybersecurity professionals worldwide to enhance their knowledge and stay ahead of cybercriminals.

Rooted in this expertise, the educational recommendations provided on this platform combine highly practical, hands-on programs from Kaspersky Cybersecurity Training and Kaspersky Academy. Designed to equip professionals with the critical skills needed to combat sophisticated threats, these initiatives ensure that their skills remain sharp, current, and ready for any challenge. Additionally, these recommendations include valuable resources for corporate organizations, featuring online tools from Kaspersky Security Awareness that promote cybersecurity-conscious behaviors within teams and foster a resilient security culture.

For APAC organizations, this is especially timely. A new global survey by Kaspersky found that 81% of APAC organizations have increased their IT security budgets, with Vietnam (94%), Indonesia (87%), Malaysia (83%), and India (83%) leading the charge across the region. Structured, practical training pathways like those offered through 'Cyber Pathways' directly address the skills vulnerabilities that remain the region's biggest internal risk.

As organizations continue to invest in cybersecurity, strengthening the skills needed to make those investments effective will be equally critical, making accessible, practical training an essential part of building long-term cyber resilience across APAC.

About Kaspersky

Kaspersky is a global cybersecurity and digital privacy company founded in 1997. Innovating the industry with a Cyber Immunity approach, Kaspersky safeguards consumers, businesses, critical infrastructure, and governments from cyberthreats, with over a billion devices protected to date.

Kaspersky ensures Cybersecurity True to Business, focusing on providing clear outcomes, protecting revenue, easing workloads and preventing downtime. Kaspersky’s deep threat intelligence and security expertise is constantly transforming into innovative solutions and services for organizations of every size, from small businesses to large enterprises, combining proven AI-driven protection technologies with simple management and expert support.

Recognized in independent tests and trusted by millions of individuals worldwide and nearly 200,000 organizations, Kaspersky helps detect threats earlier, respond faster and operate with greater confidence and freedom, protecting what matters most to our clients. Learn more at www.kaspersky.com