Published on: September 6, 2024
The White House is beginning a cybersecurity sprint to employ 500,000 cybersecurity personnel around the country.
The sprint has an emphasis on helping people without any background in cybersecurity, computer science, or computer engineering get a job. According to the White House’s press release, very few Americans realize the cybersecurity careers that are available to them. Their goal is to help fill these positions nationwide.
“Our Nation has a critical need for cyber talent,” the White House said in the press release. “‘These jobs offer an opportunity to serve our country by protecting our national security, while also offering a personal path to prosperity.”
The report cites the growing cybersecurity threats as the main concern driving their push. Hackers have only ramped up their attacks, but cybersecurity personnel across various industries are reporting high levels of burnout and a lack of resources. The end result is that hackers launch more attacks while personnel are less able to catch them.
In 2023, the US released a national cyber workforce and education campaign. This sprint is part of the government’s overall goals in enhancing national cybersecurity.
“As part of the National Cyber Workforce and Education Strategy (NCWES), we are promoting best practices that make cyber jobs more accessible to individuals from all backgrounds in any part of the country,” the release said.
These practices include removing unneeded job restrictions that favor where a candidate acquired their skills over their ability to perform a job. This, paired with an expansion of cybersecurity work apprenticeships, and on-the-ground awareness promotion should combine to bolster the US’s security workforce by at least 500,000.
The overall goal is to give anyone of any background the ability to get a job protecting the US from hackers. You’ll need to seek the ONCD for additional information.
“ONCD and its partners will be sharing information about career fairs, job postings, and other resources to connect job seekers with employers and help them on their journey into cyber.”
“Choosing a cyber career means choosing service to our country,” the release said.