Our AI writing assistant, WriteUp, can assist you in easily writing any text. Click here to experience its capabilities.

White House looks to close massive cyber skills gap

View Original View Raw

Summary

The White House has put forth a plan to address the years-long shortage of qualified IT security and technology workers. The plan calls for collaboration with the private sector to open foundational cyber skills to all Americans and expand the number of training programs available for professional training. Private companies such as Google, Microsoft, and Check Point Software have already committed to training millions of people in cybersecurity. The plan also includes programs from federal agencies such as the National Science Foundation, the National Security Agency, the Cyber Readiness Institute, and the Department of Veterans Affairs. These programs are designed to increase the number of trained IT security and technology professionals, as well as develop a more diverse workforce.

Q&As

What is the White House's plan to address the IT security worker shortage?
The White House's plan to address the IT security worker shortage is the National Cyber Workforce and Education Strategy, which calls for government officials to work with the private sector and other key stakeholders to open foundational cyber skills to all Americans and expand the number of training programs available for professional training.

What organizations are partnering with the White House to help develop a more diverse cyber workforce?
Organizations partnering with the White House to help develop a more diverse cyber workforce include Google, Microsoft, Check Point Software, the National Science Foundation, the National Security Agency, the Cyber Readiness Institute, the Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation, and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

What initiatives have private companies already made to help train IT security and technology professionals?
Private companies have already made commitments to help train IT security and technology professionals, including Google's $20 million commitment to help train thousands of students under a partnership with the Consortium of Cybersecurity Clinics, Microsoft's goal to help train and recruit more than 250,000 people into the cybersecurity workforce by 2025, and Check Point Software's commitment to training a million people in cybersecurity by 2028 through its MIND Cyber Security Training Program.

What programs are being implemented to help fill needed technology and information security roles?
Programs being implemented to help fill needed technology and information security roles include the National Science Foundation's CyberCorp Scholarship for Service, the National Security Agency's National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity Program, the Cyber Readiness Institute and the Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation's critical infrastructure pilot, and the Department of Veterans Affairs' two-year development program within the VA Cybersecurity Operations Center.

How is the Department of Veterans Affairs helping to address the IT security worker shortage?
The Department of Veterans Affairs is helping to address the IT security worker shortage by launching a two-year development program within the VA Cybersecurity Operations Center, which will provide hands-on learning for cybersecurity apprentices.

AI Comments

👍 The White House's comprehensive plan to address the IT security worker shortage is a great step forward in ensuring our national and economic security. It is wonderful to see that they are partnering with private companies to make more training programs available and invest in a more diverse workforce.

👎 Despite the White House's efforts to address the IT security worker shortage, it is unfortunate that this issue has been a problem for years. It is a shame that the industry has suffered from burnout due to a surge in cyberattacks, and it will take more than just this plan to solve the gap.

AI Discussion

Me: It's about the White House's plan to address the yearslong shortage of qualified workers in the IT security industry. They want to open foundational cyber skills to all Americans, expand the number of training programs available, and develop a more diverse workforce.

Friend: Wow, that's really interesting. What do you think the implications of this plan are?

Me: I think it's a great step in the right direction for the industry. It could help create more opportunities for people to enter the field and bring in more diverse talent. It could also help to fill the current shortage of workers and provide a much needed boost to the industry as a whole. Additionally, it could also help to reduce the rates of burnout that have been increasing in recent years due to the surge in cyberattacks.

Action items

Research and apply for any of the programs mentioned in the article that are relevant to your skillset and interests.
Reach out to local IT security and technology companies to inquire about potential job opportunities.
Take advantage of online resources such as free online courses and tutorials to learn more about the IT security industry.

Technical terms

IT Security: Information technology security, also known as IT security, is the practice of protecting computer systems, networks, and programs from digital attacks.
Ransomware: Ransomware is a type of malicious software that is used to extort money from victims by encrypting their data and demanding a ransom payment in exchange for the decryption key.
ISC2: The International Information System Security Certification Consortium, Inc., (ISC)², is a non-profit organization that provides education and certification for information security professionals.
CyberCorp Scholarship for Service: The CyberCorps: Scholarship for Service (SFS) program is a national program funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to increase and strengthen the cadre of federal information assurance professionals.
National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity Program: The National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (CAE-C) program is a partnership between the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to recognize higher education institutions that meet rigorous standards for cybersecurity education.
Cyber Readiness Institute: The Cyber Readiness Institute (CRI) is a non-profit organization that works to help organizations of all sizes and sectors build their cyber resilience.
Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation: The Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation (CCTI) is a research center at the University of Maryland that focuses on the intersection of cyber security, technology, and policy.
VA Cybersecurity Operations Center: The VA Cybersecurity Operations Center (VA-CSOC) is a centralized organization within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that provides cyber security services to the VA and its partners.