China faces cybersecurity talent shortage amid push to secure data and develop the digital economy

  • A new report from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology says China’s cybersecurity industry is facing a shortage of highly skilled talent
  • Beijing has raised cybersecurity scrutiny this year, passing new laws and regulations and launching probes into tech companies like Didi Chuxing

The opening ceremony of China’s 2021 Cybersecurity Week in Xian, the event’s host city this year. Coinciding with the event, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology released a report this week saying the country faces a shortage of cybersecurity talent. Photo: Xinhua

China is facing a shortage of cybersecurity talent, according to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), providing an obstacle to the country’s goal of further developing the digital economy in the coming years.

There is a severe “imbalance” in the supply and demand of cybersecurity talent in China, a report published by the MIIT on Tuesday said. In addition to a general labour shortage, the industry also faces a skills mismatch, according to the report.

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