Inadequate Pool of Cybersecurity Experts Found in Kazakhstan
In the bustling Kazakh labor market, there's a noticeable surge in job openings, particularly in the realms of cybersecurity.job search and recruitment service hh.kz confirm this trend. Over the past two years, the demand for cybersecurity experts has seen a whopping doubling of figures. Most of these positions (53%) reside in Almaty, followed closely by Nur-Sultan (29%) and Oral (8%). The remaining 10% can be found scattered across other cities nationwide.
Just under half (44%) of these cybersecurity vacancies can be found in companies predominantly operating within the "Information Technology, System Integration, Internet" sector. This is closely followed by the "Financial Sector" at 21% and "Oil and Gas" at 9%.
Specialists at hh.kz highlight an intriguing issue: while there's an evident surge in interest from job seekers in the IT field, there's still a significant shortage of cybersecurity professionals. The ratio of resumes to vacancies stands at 2.8, meaning that fewer than three people are applying for each open position – a figure that should ideally sit between 5-7 resumes per vacancy.
To lure these sought-after professionals, employers are willing to extend attractive salary packages, sometimes even offering up to 76% more than the average market rate. According to hh.kz, the average salary for a cybersecurity specialist in Kazakhstan stands at 569,040 tenge, but this figure can vary greatly depending on experience and the employer. The highest reported salary stands at a hefty 1,527,000 tenge.
Interestingly, job seekers' salary expectations are 25% higher than the average salary offered on the market.
For additional insights, check out "Average salary - 500,000 tenge". This piece tells the story of a Kazakhstani woman's journey into the IT field and the individuals who supported her.
It's essential to note that data on cybersecurity salary trends in Kazakhstan is somewhat scant. However, it's well-known that Kazakhstan's tech sector is experiencing impressive growth, with a significant focus on digital banking and fintech. This heightened demand for cybersecurity experts is likely a reflection of the industry's expansion and critical nature in fintech and digital banking[1].
On a global scale, cybersecurity is a high-demand field, with salaries in countries like India ranging from ₹3 to ₹25 LPA[4]. Given Kazakhstan's tech surge and the importance of cybersecurity in fintech and digital banking, it is a reasonable assumption that cybersecurity specialists in Kazakhstan are also well remunerated.
For comparison purposes, annual salaries in Kazakhstan's tech sector can range broadly. For instance, entry-level developers might earn around $25,000, while IT Project Managers could earn as much as ₸33.1 million[1]. Without specific data on cybersecurity specialists, it's reasonable to infer that their salaries might be broadly comparable to those of other senior IT roles, given the sector's growth and the critical nature of cybersecurity.
In conclusion, while definite figures for cybersecurity specialists in Kazakhstan are scarce, the field is likely to offer competitive wages due to its high demand in the rapidly developing tech and fintech sectors.
- The surge in job openings in Kazakhstan, particularly in cybersecurity, is not just limited to the local labor market but also reflects a global demand for cybersecurity experts, as evidenced by the high salaries in countries like India.
- Given the noticeable growth of the tech and fintech sectors in Kazakhstan, it's reasonable to assume that cybersecurity professionals in this region would also be remunerated competitively, akin to other senior IT roles due to the field's critical nature.
