For many mid-size organisations, building a capable cybersecurity team feels out of reach. With limited brand recognition compared to enterprise players, slower recruitment processes and intense competition for cyber talent, scaling quickly is a challenge.
One Australian company recently found itself in this exact situation. Following a major client win, the business needed to scale its cybersecurity function in less than three months – or risk losing contracts and credibility.
The challenge
The company faced three major hurdles:
- Time pressure: 90 days to double the size of their cyber team.
- Talent scarcity: Competing against financial institutions and government agencies with bigger budgets.
- Role complexity: Hiring specialists across cloud security, incident response, and governance, risk and compliance (GRC).
The approach
Needus worked side by side with the leadership team to design a talent strategy that delivered speed and quality, with:
- outcome-first job designs: Rather than rigid job descriptions, roles were defined by outcomes and impact in the first six to 12 months.
- a passive talent network: Needus tapped into its trusted network of cybersecurity professionals – many not actively job hunting – and connected them to the company’s growth story.
- a streamlined process: Hiring decisions were accelerated, cutting time from weeks to days to stay competitive in a hot market.
- cultural alignment: Beyond technical skills, candidates were assessed for adaptability and collaboration to ensure a strong cultural fit.
The results
In just 90 days, the company achieved:
- seven successful cyber hires, including a Cloud Security Architect, Incident Response Lead and multiple Security Analysts.
- a reduction in time to hire, from an average of 45 days to just 12.
- a future-ready talent pipeline for roles anticipated in 2026.
Why it matters
This spotlight shows that even mid-tier organisations – often overlooked in the cyber talent race – can compete and win when they prioritise clarity, speed and trusted relationships. With the right partner, scaling a cybersecurity team isn’t just possible, it’s sustainable.
You don’t need enterprise budgets to scale fast – you need the right cyber recruitment partner. Connect with us today.
