Information security specialists have a lot to thank Jérôme Kerviel for. Not only are there more job opportunities available for them, but such is the dearth of talent, they’re almost indispensable.

Kerviel allegedly manipulated internal security systems in order to cover up rogue trades that cost the French bank €4.9bn. And other banks are becoming aware of the threat from within.

When times are tough, and job security is weak, traders are more likely to follow in Kerviel’s footsteps and feel the need to cover up their trading losses, according to employment consulting firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas.

In the current conditions, it's not surprising banks are becoming increasingly watchful.

Jim Wiggins, security engineer at investment firm Artisan, told Wall Street & Technology: “When times are bad, we have to be more vigilant. It's not so much about having untrustworthy people; it's just that pressure increases, particularly if you've been a star performer and you have two or three months that are not as good. In that case, the onus is particularly high.”

A survey by Ernst & Young earlier in the year, which surveyed 125 financial services firms, suggested that the large majority (80%) were set to up spend in this area by 5-25%+ over the next 12-18 months.

The result is that information security experts are the new hot property. The role, which involves taking control of risk management and compliance policies, is top of the pile according to IT consultancy Forrester Research.

“Security roles have increased in importance as security expands to include risk management, and requires an approach that considers applications, infrastructure, facilities and business factors,” say Marc Cecere and Laurie Orlov, analysts at Forrester.

Ben Elmslie, IT security and risk consultant in the IT banking team at recruiters Huxley Associates, says there’s been an uplift in this area: “We’ve seen a big increase in the numbers required in the information security space.”

Senior roles come in at £85k-£115k, with bonuses reaching multiples of salary, says Elmsie.