Recruiters need to understand more about the information security sector if they are to recruit the right people effectively, according to international security certification body (ISC)2.

John Colley, managing director Europe and Eastern Africa of (ISC)2, told Recruiter: "It's a question of understanding what information security people do. People think it's IT, but it's something on its own."

Colley, former head of information security at Royal Bank of Scotland, said that understanding the market was particularly important at this time when demand for security managers, compliance officers and information security officers, and other information security professionals was outstripping demand.

He said: "It's very important that you understand the issues and particularly what to look for when recruiting staff such as the need to do proper background checks."

• (ISC)2 recently issued a guide to help those find, recruit and retain qualified information security staff. www.isc2.org/HRCenter