909Cyber is excited to announce the launch of www.909select.com, a U.S.-based cybersecurity freelancer marketplace designed to transform how organizations hire cybersecurity talent. Built by seasoned CISOs and security practitioners, 909Select introduces a Zero Trust approach to hiring, leveraging AI-powered matching and verification to ensure employers engage genuinely trusted professionals.
A Workforce Gap That Threatens Security
The challenges of finding and retaining skilled cybersecurity professionals are real—and growing.
- Massive global shortfall: According to ISC2’s workforce research, the cybersecurity profession needs millions more professionals than currently exist—the global gap is estimated at around 4.8 million unfilled positions, a 19 % increase year-over-year. (TechTarget)
- U.S. talent scarcity: In the United States alone, there are more than half a million unfilled cybersecurity jobs. (Programs.com)
- Persistent staffing shortages: Around 67 % of organizations report that they don’t have enough cybersecurity staff, and a majority say understaffing significantly increases their risk. (Programs.com)
These numbers reveal a striking mismatch between demand and supply—organizations need skilled defenders faster than traditional hiring models can deliver.
“Don’t Trust Resumes. Trust Humans.”
As Den Jones, Founder & CEO of 909Cyber, emphasizes:
“Don’t trust resumes — trust humans. Trust is earned, and we've built trust controls from the outset.”
This ethos lies at the heart of 909Select’s design.
Applying Zero Trust to People, Not Just Technology
Zero Trust has reshaped how organizations secure systems: never trust, always verify. 909Select brings that same rigor to hiring:
- Verified identity and reputation: Professionals are authenticated and vetted—not just judged by titles or resumes.
- Continuous trust evaluation: Performance and trust metrics evolve with real engagements and feedback.
- AI-enhanced matching: Intelligent matching connects employers with talent based on verified skills and mission fit, not keywords.
This approach helps organizations mitigate risk not just from what a candidate claims but from what they’ve proven in action.
Cost and Risk Realities That CISOs Know All Too Well
Hiring full-time cybersecurity staff—especially experienced professionals—comes with high cost and long lead times. Many companies don’t need or can’t afford a full-time CISO, security engineer, or specialist. What they do need are trusted professionals who can plug gaps, advise on strategy, harden defenses, and deliver outcomes without full-time overhead.
The current workforce dynamics compound this: budget constraints and persistent skills gaps have hurt hiring confidence across enterprises. A large majority of cybersecurity pros report that skills shortages—not just headcount—have driven real security impacts, including breaches or near misses. (ISC2)
Why 909Select Matters Today
909Select isn’t just another freelancer site. It’s:
- A marketplace rooted in practitioner experience: Built by people who have been recruited, who have recruited, and who have suffered the consequences of hiring mistakes.
- Aligned with modern security economics: Organizations can hire trusted, vetted professionals on demand without the risk or cost of full-time roles.
- Zero Trust for human talent: Trust is measured and proven—mirroring the security principles organizations depend on every day.
A Smarter Path Forward for Cybersecurity Teams
In a world where threats escalate and talent lags, 909Select gives companies a strategic advantage:
- Faster access to skills when and where needed
- Reduced hiring risk and unnecessary headcount
- Better alignment between mission needs and talent engagement
- A trust-centric system that reflects how security should work
🔗 Explore trusted cybersecurity talent and hire with confidence at: www.909select.com
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