How Hunt & Hackett Connects Cybersecurity Talent with Opportunities in the SME Sector

What does it take to attract the next generation of cybersecurity professionals? For Hunt & Hackett, the answer starts with meaningful, personal conversations. During the International Cyber Security Summer School, the SME joined the HR Market to meet an international group of young cybersecurity professionals and share what a career in a smaller organisation can offer.

For Hunt & Hackett, the HR Market was a valuable opportunity to engage directly with students who are exploring their future in cybersecurity. The atmosphere was open and accessible, creating space for informal conversations and genuine exchanges with students who were curious about the industry.

“The atmosphere was open and approachable, which naturally led to great conversations with students who were genuinely curious about the field,” Britt van den Berg, marketing & strategic threat intelligence at Hunt & Hackett, reflects.

An international perspective on cybersecurity careers

The international character of the Summer School added another dimension to the conversations. Bringing together students from different countries and backgrounds meant that participants brought a wide range of interests and perspectives to the table.

“Precisely that international mix made the experience interesting. It brings together different interests and perspectives.”

For Hunt & Hackett, meeting students in person also offered valuable insights into what young cybersecurity professionals are looking for in a future employer. Rather than simply presenting the organisation, the HR Market provided an opportunity to listen, understand students’ interests and show them what working at an SME can look like in practice.

Making the SME sector visible to young talent

For smaller organisations, reaching cybersecurity talent can sometimes be challenging. Students may naturally think first of larger and more familiar employers when considering their career options. Events such as the HR Market can help broaden that perspective.

“As an SME, you are not always the first organisation students think of. An event like this gives you the opportunity to meet people personally and show them that there are also exciting opportunities beyond the large, well-known organisations.”

According to Hunt & Hackett, one of the key advantages of working for an SME is the close connection to the practical side of the profession. Smaller teams often mean shorter lines, exposure to different aspects of the field and more room to take initiative.

“At a smaller organisation, you are often close to the practice and quickly gain experience across different areas of the profession. The lines are short, and there is plenty of room to take initiative and further develop your own interests.”

Start with the conversation, not the recruitment pitch

For other SMEs considering taking part in a similar event, Hunt & Hackett has a straightforward recommendation: just do it, but focus on the conversation rather than the recruitment pitch.

“The best conversations came from simply talking openly about the work and giving young professionals the space to ask questions about what they are genuinely interested in.”

This personal approach reflects the value of bringing talent and organisations together in an informal setting. For both sides, it creates an opportunity to look beyond job descriptions and explore whether there is a genuine match in interests, ambitions and ways of working.

The experience highlights the importance of creating opportunities where cybersecurity talent and organisations can meet, exchange perspectives and discover possibilities for the future. For SMEs in particular, these personal connections can be an important step towards making their organisations more visible to the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.