Cyber-security Talent Shortage Solution: Offshoring to the Philippines

Cyber-security is a top priority for nearly 80% of businesses—and with cyber threats on a perpetual rise, that number is probably going up as you read this. With over 4 million cybersecurity jobs unfilled globally, U.S. businesses face a critical challenge in securing skilled talent to combat rising cyber threats—but where are you supposed to turn if you’re looking to hire experts and there are seemingly none to be found? The solution may be closer than you think.

“Offshoring to the Philippines can provide a game-changing solution for many businesses looking to build their SOC teams and have the best cyber-security talent on their teams,” says ECLARO Co-Founder Tom Sheridan, “Philippines offshoring gives companies access to specialized expertise and cost-effective value, and the power of nearshoring convenience when it comes to shifts and availability. But you need experience in the Philippines, as well as a deep knowledge of the talent pool and where to find the Right People.”

“If you work with a partner who can deliver that, and who understands your needs, then the power of Philippines outsourcing becomes a force multiplier,” adds ECLARO Co-Founder Paul Sheridan. “In more than two decades working with talent in the Philippines for clients across all industries, we’ve seen businesses surprised that they can hire dedicated professionals who integrate seamlessly with their U.S. operations. If cyber-security is a need for you—and who doesn’t have that need, right?—then whether it’s adding one or two members or bringing on an entire offshore team, talent in the Philippines is ready to be taking on roles like threat analysis, penetration testing, compliance management—the skills and the experience are all there.”

Why is the Philippines the ideal destination for U.S. businesses to address the cybersecurity talent shortage? Eight strategic points hold some answers…

Find Specialized Cybersecurity Expertise and Experience

Seeing the world-class level of tech talent working in the Philippines, we’ve had clients refer to it as “the Silicon Valley” of Southeast Asia. In addition, the Philippines graduates a robust pool of professionals annually, around 650,000 grads, and nearly 50,000 of them specialize in IT. Surrounded by a professional culture that prizes information security, many of these professionals are trained from early in their careers in such cybersecurity disciplines as malware analysis, firewall management and SOC operations. These experts bring cutting-edge skills to protect your business from evolving threats, and a trusted outsourcing partner can swiftly connect you with this talent, tailored to your security needs.

Maximize Budgets with High-Value Talent

The bottom line matters, but you don’t want a trade-off of quality for cost. And you don’t need to make one. Offshoring to the Philippines lets businesses hire for less while securing exceptional value in the level of talent. Typically, cybersecurity experts in the Philippines cost 50-75% less than in the U.S., delivering skills on par with top global markets. That’s money that drops to your bottom line or can be invested in additional workforce, advanced security tools, training and more.

U.S. Hours, No Compromise

“I can’t find offshore talent that works my hours!” It’s a complaint we’ve heard from businesses who have never outsourced to the Philippines—and it’s an issue that disappears once the begin doing so. Many businesses are familiar with well-known offshoring hubs where time zone gaps or inflexible schedules disrupt workflows for their U.S. operations. But Filipino cybersecurity professionals work U.S. hours effortlessly—or whatever shifts you need. Whether it’s monitoring threats at 3 a.m. EST or conducting real-time incident response, they keep your operations secure around the clock. This U.S.-aligned flexibility rivals nearshoring’s ease at a typically lower cost, and with the best-in-class skills found in the Philippines.

Clear Communication, Zero Barriers

Clear, seamless communication is not a nice-to-have when it comes to your company’s information security—it’s a must-have. English and Filipino are both official languages in the Philippines, and Filipino professionals shine in roles requiring precise communication and comprehension, such as drafting incident reports or collaborating on threat mitigation. Their fluency and deep proficiency in both spoken and written English ensures your U.S. teams face no language hurdles, fostering efficient coordination and teams that blend seamlessly with your operations, acting as a natural extension of your cybersecurity workforce.

Aligned Work Culture for Team Cohesion

In addition to language proficiency, Filipino professionals bring a U.S.-friendly worldview and work ethic, shaped by a long-standing cultural affinity with the West and decades of global business exposure, making the workforce ideal for cybersecurity roles like risk assessment or compliance monitoring. A collaborative mindset strengthens team dynamics, reducing turnover and ensuring consistent security coverage, all while smoothly embracing your company’s culture and creating a unified force that feels like an in-house U.S. team, enhancing long-term stability.

Cutting-Edge Infrastructure for Robust Security

The Philippines has emerged as a tech powerhouse, with areas such as Metro Manila—where ECLARO has three global services delivery centers—offering state-of-the-art facilities and high-speed connectivity to support demanding cybersecurity tasks like real-time threat detection, log analysis and penetration testing. Modern data centers ensure uptime and reliability, critical for 24/7 security operations and ensuring your team delivers top performance.

Stringent Data Security Standards

The Philippines’ Data Privacy Act of 2012 aligns with global regulations, creating a secure foundation for cybersecurity tasks like encryption management or audit preparation. This framework matches U.S. expectations, ensuring compliance for sensitive operations, and a trusted partner enhances this with certifications like ISO 27001 and SOC2, safeguarding your data during complex tasks. This robust security lets U.S. businesses offshore to the Philippines with confidence, knowing their defenses are ironclad.

Rapid Team Scaling

The Philippines’ deep talent pool allows U.S. businesses to scale cybersecurity teams quickly, from adding an individual to your existing operations or building out a full Security Operations Center team with SOC Level 1/2 Analysts, SOC Level 3 Analysts, a SOC Team Lead. But it’s not enough that the talent is there—it’s knowing how and where to source them, recruit them, hire them, onboard them and set them up for continuous success—all without the high costs of U.S. hiring. A trusted partner customizes teams to adapt to your needs, ensuring agility against cyber threats, keeping your business resilient.

Partnering for Cybersecurity Success with ECLARO

ECLARO, with over two decades of experience connecting global clients with top talent in the Philippines and three Global Services Delivery Centers in Metro Manila, builds dedicated teams tailored to your security needs and other business goals. Learn more in our Ultimate Guide to Outsourcing & Offshoring in the Philippines.

Ready to strengthen your defenses? Connect with an ECLARO Outsourcing & Offshoring expert today for a free consultation today.