Wages soar for cyber-spooks as hacking attacks multiply

CYBER security experts can earn five-figure sums a day as worried businesses bolster their defences against attack, according to a report.

Recruitment company ManpowerGroup said Christmas has come early for so-called cyber-spooks who have seen their wages soar amid booming demand for their work.

The findings follow recent cyber-attacks on pub chain JD Wetherspoon, entertainment giant Sony and telecoms firm TalkTalk (chief executive Dido Harding pictured).

‘There are millions of cyberattacks every day,’ said Mark Cahill, UK managing director at ManpowerGroup.

‘Companies are having to invest heavily to protect themselves, with their focus moving to responding to attacks rather than just prevention. We expect the biggest growth area next year to be in cyber security crisis management, with large organisations bolstering their own in-house security teams as well as calling on specialist contractors.’

He added: ‘The shortage of people with the required skills means salaries for this new breed of specialists are vast – Christmas really has come early for this in-demand group. Some individuals can command daily rates in excess of £3,000, and some top cyber-security specialists can even earn fivefigure sums daily. With the potential risk to companies so significant and no signs of demand falling, those sky high salaries look set to continue.’

The report found UK employers are heading into 2016 more optimistic than at any time in 2015 with many now planning to ramp up hiring. Companies in the North East and North West are particularly upbeat.

However, Cahill warned that the introduction of the National Living Wage in April will ‘send shockwaves through the UK jobs market’ particularly in retail, hospitality and social care.

The shift in the nation’s shopping habits away from the High Street has already hit demand for staff but hiring has picked up in areas that support online shopping – including in transport, storage and communications.