Current cybersecurity professionals and educators can change the narrative, but only if we take individual responsibility to engage with others and be visible members of our communities. Otherwise, the issue of a lack of diversity in the field won’t address itself.

The Department of Homeland Security and Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) launched the 2021 Girl Scout Cyber Awareness Challenge, a new initiative to encourage girls across the country to learn about cybersecurity and increase related awareness within their own communities, particularly around the growing threat of ransomware. 

The 167,000-square-foot, six-story structure will advances the university’s vision to earn national recognition as a research-intensive institution and bolsters San Antonio’s national standing as Cyber City USA.

The University of Kent announced its Institute of Advanced Studies in Cyber Security and Conflict, a University-wide hub promoting interdisciplinary research and educational activities in cybersecurity and conflict. The institute will extend cybersecurity research into wider areas such as international conflict, cyber influence and behavior, cybercrime, cyber law and digital financial technology.

In response to the global, rapidly growing demand for skilled information security professionals across industries—from government to private sector and non-profit—Fairfield University is now offering a flexible 30-credit Master of Science in Cybersecurity program, along with other changes and new technologies in its cyber lab.

(ISC)² released its 2020 Cybersecurity Workforce Study. For the first time, the study indicates a year-over-year reduction in the cybersecurity workforce gap, due in part to increased talent entry into the field and uncertain demand due to the economic impact of COVID-19.

The University of West Florida is launching a new degree program in direct response to increased workforce demand in STEM fields. Beginning in Fall 2019, UWF will offer a Master of Science in Cybersecurity. 

Congressmen Jim Langevin (D-RI) and Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson (R-PA), co-chairs of the Congressional Career and Technical Education (CTE) Caucus, introduced the Cybersecurity Skills Integration Act, which will jumpstart the development of CTE curricula that incorporate cybersecurity skills training.

According to a survey of 500 IT professionals (conducted by cloud and data center solutions provider INAP), 57 percent feel they’re only contacted when something goes wrong, and 27 percent feel strongly that “senior management has clearly communicated a desire to see the IT team more aligned with the goals of individual business units.”

When Kathleen Hyde talks about cybersecurity leadership, she talks about breadth. “Training is going to teach you the technical skills you need, but employers also want to see somebody who has problem-solving skills, who has good communication skills,” says Hyde, who chairs Cybersecurity Programs at Champlain College Online.