Security Magazine logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Security Magazine logo
  • NEWS
    • Security Newswire
    • Technologies & Solutions
  • MANAGEMENT
    • Leadership Management
    • Enterprise Services
    • Security Education & Training
    • Logical Security
    • Security & Business Resilience
    • Profiles in Excellence
  • PHYSICAL
    • Access Management
    • Fire & Life Safety
    • Identity Management
    • Physical Security
    • Video Surveillance
    • Case Studies (Physical)
  • CYBER
    • Cybersecurity News
    • More
  • BLOG
  • COLUMNS
    • Cyber Tactics
    • Leadership & Management
    • Security Talk
    • Career Intelligence
    • Leader to Leader
    • Cybersecurity Education & Training
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Annual Guarding Report
    • Most Influential People in Security
    • The Security Benchmark Report
    • The Security Leadership Issue
    • Top Guard and Security Officer Companies
    • Top Cybersecurity Leaders
    • Women in Security
  • SECTORS
    • Arenas / Stadiums / Leagues / Entertainment
    • Banking/Finance/Insurance
    • Construction, Real Estate, Property Management
    • Education: K-12
    • Education: University
    • Government: Federal, State and Local
    • Hospitality & Casinos
    • Hospitals & Medical Centers
    • Infrastructure:Electric,Gas & Water
    • Ports: Sea, Land, & Air
    • Retail/Restaurants/Convenience
    • Transportation/Logistics/Supply Chain/Distribution/ Warehousing
  • EVENTS
    • Industry Events
    • Webinars
    • Solutions by Sector
    • Security 500 Conference
  • MEDIA
    • Videos
      • Cybersecurity & Geopolitical Discussion
      • Ask Me Anything (AMA) Series
    • Podcasts
    • Polls
    • Photo Galleries
  • MORE
    • Call for Entries
    • Classifieds & Job Listings
    • Continuing Education
    • Newsletter
    • Sponsor Insights
    • Store
    • White Papers
  • EMAG
    • eMagazine
    • This Month's Content
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP!
CybersecurityManagementSecurity Enterprise ServicesSecurity Leadership and Management

Collaboration needed to effectively expand cyber education & training

By Jon Check
Cybersecurity team members

Image via Unsplash

October 31, 2023

While there is a high demand for cybersecurity professionals, there is also a significant lack of supply when it comes to talent. The best solution to filling this gap is to ramp up hiring initiatives with an emphasis on looking toward career backgrounds not traditional to cybersecurity and information technology. There must also be a focus on training, educating and mentoring cyber professionals at different stages of career development. This will help ensure that even as cyberattacks grow more sophisticated, there will be cyber defenders who are proficient in the skills needed to counter them.

With the cyber skills gap continuing to widen, it is equally important to hire candidates with prestigious degrees or years of relevant experience and pursue candidates who have the foundational skills that every cybersecurity professional needs.   If someone has the ability to think critically and problem solve, they most likely have the ability to be trained into an extremely capable cybersecurity professional. 

Organization responsibility

This education and training will of course require the investment of time and commitment from organizations and their leaders. Without their recognition of how important it is to properly train potential cyber employees and the next generation of the workforce, the skills gap will continue to expand. Unfortunately, half the battle to closing the skills gap is instilling enough confidence in prospective talent pools. Those who might be interested in taking the leap from their current career path or are questioning if this industry is a right fit, need to be assured that there is a place for them in the cybersecurity field and the opportunity for them to thrive professionally. Because cybersecurity is already perceived as a daunting and intimidating industry, training and education must start from the beginning of someone’s journey in the cybersecurity career field and continue throughout their employment. It’s through continuing to invest in our employees that we will keep the talent we have and attract the talent we seek.

A key consideration for the industry is the promotion of the skills needed to enter the field and involvement in the training of future cyber professionals. For example, Girl Scouts Cyber Awareness Challenge offers curriculum-based programs and mentorships tailored to getting women interested in the cybersecurity field as they begin planning for their careers. There are also events such as the National Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition (NCDDC) and the U.S. Cyber Games that strive to build a stronger and more diverse tech and cybersecurity community. Involvement in such initiatives will help break down barriers that are discouraging many from pursuing a career in cyber. 

The Federal push

Commitment to the training and education of new and prospective talent will effectively help combat the skills gap, and the industry will benefit as a whole. Times like these are when coming together to invest in the future matters most, and it will certainly pay off in the long run if security leaders start to act now. 

A telltale sign that there is a need for action is the recent push for federal involvement. Making note that domestic agencies are already under enough pressure to efficiently counter attacks and make up for existing skills gaps, cybersecurity lawmakers are starting to understand the important role they can play towards cyber education. This includes the possible establishment of “Cyber Academies,” or programs that would be implemented in schools to help students learn about cybersecurity and its career possibilities at an early age. This is a solution that attacks the problem at the very root by combating the lack of understanding and knowledge among students — which may hold them back from entering the industry later down the line. 

Proving even further how pressing this problem is becoming is CISA’s recent decision to implement a new set of training modules on ransomware prevention through its Federal Virtual Training Environment. They have also announced new funding developments, dedicated to supporting non-traditional training organizations and cyber education non-profits. 

As security leaders see these actions taking place, they can be reminded that there is strength in unity, especially when a problem like this is so widespread. Closing the skills gap will never be possible if security leaders don’t collectively realize the importance in doing so. With awareness spreading, and significant strides being made, they can all help the cybersecurity industry grow in ways it has never been able to before.
KEYWORDS: cybersecurity careers cybersecurity skills gap mentor

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Jon Check is Executive Director, Cyber Protection Solutions, at Raytheon.

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
To unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • Security's Top Cybersecurity Leaders 2024

    Security's Top Cybersecurity Leaders 2024

    Security magazine's Top Cybersecurity Leaders 2024 award...
    Security Enterprise Services
    By: Security Staff
  • cyber brain

    The intersection of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence

    Artificial intelligence (AI) is a valuable cybersecurity...
    Cyber Tactics Column
    By: Pam Nigro
  • artificial intelligence AI graphic

    Assessing the pros and cons of AI for cybersecurity

    Artificial intelligence (AI) has significant implications...
    New Security Technology
    By: Charles Denyer
Manage My Account
  • Security eNewsletter & Other eNews Alerts
  • eMagazine Subscriptions
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Online Registration
  • Mobile App
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Security audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Security or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • Crisis Response Team
    Sponsored byEverbridge

    Automate or Fall Behind – Crisis Response at the Speed of Risk

  • Perimeter security
    Sponsored byAMAROK

    Why Property Security is the New Competitive Advantage

  • Duty of Care
    Sponsored byAMAROK

    Integrating Technology and Physical Security to Advance Duty of Care

Popular Stories

Internal computer parts

Critical Software Vulnerabilities Rose 37% in 2024

Coding

AI Emerges as the Top Concern for Security Leaders

Half open laptop

“Luigi Was Right”: A Look at the Website Sharing Data on More Than 1,000 Executives

Person working on laptop

Governance in the Age of Citizen Developers and AI

Shopping mall

Victoria’s Secret Security Incident Shuts Down Website

2025 Security Benchmark banner

Events

June 24, 2025

Inside a Modern GSOC: How Anthropic Benchmarks Risk Detection Tools for Speed and Accuracy

For today's security teams, making informed decisions in the first moments of a crisis is critical.

August 27, 2025

Risk Mitigation as a Competitive Edge

In today’s volatile environment, a robust risk management strategy isn’t just a requirement—it’s a foundation for organizational resilience. From cyber threats to climate disruptions, the ability to anticipate, withstand, and adapt to disruption is becoming a hallmark of industry leaders.

View All Submit An Event

Products

Security Culture: A How-to Guide for Improving Security Culture and Dealing with People Risk in Your Organisation

Security Culture: A How-to Guide for Improving Security Culture and Dealing with People Risk in Your Organisation

See More Products

Related Articles

  • 5mw Tim Danks

    5 minutes with Tim Danks - Global collaboration in cyber risk management is needed

    See More
  • Cyber and artificial intelligence

    Concerted push needed for AI training in security community

    See More
  • budget

    Security Leaders Must Adjust Cybersecurity Budgets to Effectively Address 2018 Cyber Threats

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • security culture.webp

    Security Culture: A How-to Guide for Improving Security Culture and Dealing with People Risk in Your Organisation

  • physical security.webp

    Physical Security Assessment Handbook An Insider’s Guide to Securing a Business

See More Products

Events

View AllSubmit An Event
  • May 22, 2025

    Proactive Crisis Communication

    ON DEMAND: Crisis doesn't wait for the right time - it strikes when least expected. Is your team prepared to communicate clearly and effectively when it matters most?
View AllSubmit An Event
×

Sign-up to receive top management & result-driven techniques in the industry.

Join over 20,000+ industry leaders who receive our premium content.

SIGN UP TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing