EVOLVING LANDSCAPE OF CYBERSECURITY SKILLS-AN ANALYSIS OF SKILL REQUIREMENTS AND GAPS IN KERALA

Abstract

This comprehensive study delves into the dynamic landscape of cybersecurity education and career development within the context of Kerala, India. It addresses a fundamental research question: What are the essential skills and knowledge areas required for various roles within cybersecurity, and how do these requirements vary among roles? Furthermore, it explores emerging skills vital for the future of cybersecurity and evaluates the alignment of existing educational and certification programs with industry demands. Employing a mixed-method approach, the study conducts surveys, curriculum analyses, job listings analysis, and literature reviews to provide a holistic understanding of the cybersecurity domain. The findings underscore students' fervent interest in cybersecurity careers despite limited institutional support, emphasizing the need for curriculum refinement and alignment with industry trends. Universities in Kerala should incorporate secure coding, application security, identity and access management in their cybersecurity programs, and consider adding content on cloud security and machine learning to better meet job market demands.