The cybersecurity talent pool that law firms and corporate legal departments were pulling from before the outbreak of COVID-19 wasn't exactly overflowing. But the sudden influx of employees working remotely and a host other pandemic-related needs may have further narrowed the already hyperspecific criteria that legal professionals are looking for in cybersecurity support.

To be sure, legal isn't the only industry struggling to boost its cybersecurity roster. Last week, the Information Systems Security Association published its "The Life and Times of Cybersecurity Professionals 2020" report, which indicated that 45% of the 327 global security and IT professionals surveyed believe that the cybersecurity skills shortage has "only gotten worse over the past few years."

The impact of COVID-19 on the job market likely hasn't helped matters inside legal. Kermit Wallace, chief information officer at Day Pitney, pointed out that many recruiters that law firms may have previously collaborated with to find cybersecurity talent may have gone out of business during the general hiring freeze that accompanied the earliest days of the pandemic.