The Hidden Risks of Hiring Uncertified Cybersecurity Professionals
A recent Moneycontrol investigation exposed a growing hiring crisis—fake degrees, stolen IDs, and forged documents are being used to land jobs, including in cybersecurity. Many CISOs and senior security professionals are hired based on LinkedIn profiles and past job titles alone, without verifying critical certifications like CISSP, CISM, or ISACA credentials. Some falsely claim to be certified without ever passing the exam, while others let their certifications expire, failing to update their skills as required. Without proper verification, organizations risk hiring individuals who lack up-to-date security knowledge, potentially exposing them to cyber threats. If they’re not certified, they may just be part of the hacker community, where no formal qualifications are required. To mitigate this risk, always verify credentials using official portals of ISC² and ISACA. Don’t trust LinkedIn—trust verified expertise. #CyberSecurity #CISO #Hiring #InfoSec #CISSP #CISM #RiskManagement #FraudPrevention
CISOHACKERSHUMAN RESOURCES
Roshan Yacob George C|CISO CISSP CISA CFE
3/29/20252 min read
Are You Really Hiring a Qualified Cybersecurity Professional?
A recent Moneycontrol investigation has exposed a disturbing reality—fraud is now a systemic issue, with entire industries unknowingly hiring individuals with fake identities, forged documents, and fabricated qualifications. One of the most shocking cases reported involved a person who falsely claimed to have passed the 10th grade, posed as a doctor, ran a clinic for nearly three years, and treated 70–80 patients daily. Such life-threatening risks highlight the urgent need for thorough background verification (BGV) and license checks.
Perhaps even more concerning is that fraud is not always a one-time mistake. In the banking, financial services, and insurance (BFSI) sector, one in three fraudsters (33%) had previously committed fraud—yet managed to get rehired elsewhere. Many companies lack real-time tracking mechanisms, allowing repeat offenders to simply move from one job to another with a fresh set of forged documents.
This crisis extends to cybersecurity, where many CISOs and senior security professionals are being hired based solely on their LinkedIn profiles and past experience, without verifying their formal education or professional certifications. Fake degrees and expired security credentials are flooding the system, and without proper validation, organizations risk hiring individuals who are unqualified—or worse, deceptive.
In the logistics industry, 15.79% of education verification cases have been flagged as fraudulent, while 11.84% of address verification cases also show inconsistencies. If such fraud is rampant in multiple industries, what does this mean for the cybersecurity professionals tasked with protecting critical data and systems?
The Certification Illusion
Cybersecurity certifications like CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional) and CISM (Certified Information Security Manager) are meant to ensure professionals possess the required expertise. However, many individuals:
✅ Falsely claim certifications despite never having passed the required exams.
✅ Hold expired certifications, failing to update their skills and re-certify, annually, as mandated.
Without certified qualifications, these individuals may lack up-to-date security knowledge, exposing businesses to cyber threats. Worse, if they are not certified, they could be part of hacker communities where no formal qualifications are required.
How to Ensure You Hire the Right Professionals
🔹 Verify Cybersecurity Certifications:
CISSP Verification: https://www.isc2.org/MemberVerification
CISM & ISACA Certifications: https://www.isaca.org/credentialing/verify-a-certification
🔹 Enforce Continuous Learning: Ensure cybersecurity professionals maintain active certifications and stay updated on evolving threats.
🔹 Strengthen Hiring Processes: Move beyond LinkedIn—conduct thorough background verification, including education, certifications, and work experience validation.
Final Thoughts
Fraud is no longer an isolated problem—it is an organized, systemic issue affecting multiple industries. If doctors and financial professionals can operate with fake credentials, what about those entrusted with protecting your business from cyber threats? Organizations must take a proactive stance by verifying security professionals' certifications, education, and credentials before making hiring decisions. Cybersecurity is too critical to be entrusted to those without the proper, certified qualifications.
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