The Biden Administration has released the National Cyber Workforce and Education Strategy, aiming to reduce the cyber workforce gap and to encourage individuals to enter the cyber workforce:
Technology and humanity are intertwined. Technology itself does not have a value system; rather it carries the values of its owners and operators. Cyberspace is composed not only of technology and protocols, but also people. People are an integral part of cyberspace, both in creating and using it. In less than a generation, technology has transformed our daily lives – among other things, we pay bills, connect with families and friends, build businesses, and build communities. We rely on cyberspace for our national security, economic development, and innovation. More than any other domain – air, space, sea, or land – people conceived of and created cyberspace and will continue to improve it. The Biden-Harris Administration’s 2023 National Cybersecurity Strategy establishes an affirmative, values- driven vision for a secure and resilient cyberspace that enables us to achieve our collective aspirations. To achieve a vision aligned with our values, we must ensure that people are appropriately equipped. This National Cyber Workforce and Education Strategy provides a critical element of the President’s approach to securing cyberspace.
I have secured some commentary on this strategy, which I have printed below:
Debbie Gordon, Founder and CEO, Cloud Range
We are excited to see the Biden Administration addressing the critical cyber workforce needs. While this is a significant step forward in direction, there are some areas where “the how” or more guidance could be beneficial. For example, in section 2, under Transform Cyber Education, it mentions “expand competency-based cyber education.” Expanding competency-based cyber education is only attainable by utilizing simulation based training to overcome the age-old conundrum of you can’t get experience without a job and you can’t get a job without experience. The only way to do this is to incorporate experiential learning in the form of advanced simulation into cyber education programs. Too many people are coming out of universities and community colleges with degrees or certifications that they still can’t get a job because they have no practical experience. Utilizing simulation based training to augment traditional cybersecurity training will enable students to be prepared to be productive on the job from day one, and will give employers the confidence that they have experienced candidates at the ready.
Sherron Burgess, VP Strategy, Cyversity
The National Cyber Workforce and Education Strategy sets a direction for both workforce and education, while taking an ecosystem-focused approach. This strategy builds on previous efforts from the administration—holistically approaching the gap—engaging stakeholders across education, industry, research, etc. and spanning federal and industry workforces.The Biden Administration’s strategy also represents an innovation in transforming cyber education, which is absolutely necessary in engaging underrepresented groups through new and existing initiatives. Finally, we commend the strong focus of the strategy on lifelong skills—and removing some of the conventional barriers to entry to cybersecurity. And, importantly, the strategy follows the newly released GAO Cybersecurity Workforce report, “National Initiative Needs to Better Assess Its Performance” on NIST’s NICE program, highlighting its strengths and the shortcomings.
Candy Alexander, President, ISSA
The cyber skills shortage has been an ongoing issue for more than 20 years and with the digital footprint encompassing all areas of our lives this comes at a great time. Current education does not provide hands on skills-based readiness to bring entry level and those changing careers to a real work situation. With the combination of skills needed in the industry and communities of individuals in need of skills and career paths, the National Cyber Workforce and Education Strategy couldn’t be timelier.
ISSA has long been studying the life and times of the cybersecurity professional for the past 7 years and has seen little change in the skills gap. In fact, it is widening. The Biden Administration’s strategy is exactly what the industry needs and addresses what we have been advocating for: the collaboration of education institutions, government programs, corporate organizations, and the cyber association communities to build pathways to bridge the gap between pure education and employment.
This is a good move by the Biden administration as having a skilled workforce enables so much when it comes to cyberspace.
UPDATE: I have one more comment:
Emily Phelps, Director, Cyware:
“We’re encouraged to see the Biden-Harris Administration recognize and take action to address the cybersecurity skills and diversity gaps that have continued to impact organizations and individuals. Improving diversity among cybersecurity professionals will not only help increase the volume of cybersecurity experts, but diversity of perspectives and backgrounds will make the industry more effective overall.
“In cybersecurity, we must think about our work as the industry vs. the adversary. Improving accessibility to cyber education, diversifying the cyber workforce, bolstering cybersecurity understanding, and increasing collaborative partnerships will help establish a strong foundation to close the skills gap and support resiliency.”
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Biden Administration Releases National Cyber Workforce And Education Strategy To Address Cyber Workforce Needs
The Biden Administration has released the National Cyber Workforce and Education Strategy, aiming to reduce the cyber workforce gap and to encourage individuals to enter the cyber workforce:
Technology and humanity are intertwined. Technology itself does not have a value system; rather it carries the values of its owners and operators. Cyberspace is composed not only of technology and protocols, but also people. People are an integral part of cyberspace, both in creating and using it. In less than a generation, technology has transformed our daily lives – among other things, we pay bills, connect with families and friends, build businesses, and build communities. We rely on cyberspace for our national security, economic development, and innovation. More than any other domain – air, space, sea, or land – people conceived of and created cyberspace and will continue to improve it. The Biden-Harris Administration’s 2023 National Cybersecurity Strategy establishes an affirmative, values- driven vision for a secure and resilient cyberspace that enables us to achieve our collective aspirations. To achieve a vision aligned with our values, we must ensure that people are appropriately equipped. This National Cyber Workforce and Education Strategy provides a critical element of the President’s approach to securing cyberspace.
I have secured some commentary on this strategy, which I have printed below:
Debbie Gordon, Founder and CEO, Cloud Range
We are excited to see the Biden Administration addressing the critical cyber workforce needs. While this is a significant step forward in direction, there are some areas where “the how” or more guidance could be beneficial. For example, in section 2, under Transform Cyber Education, it mentions “expand competency-based cyber education.” Expanding competency-based cyber education is only attainable by utilizing simulation based training to overcome the age-old conundrum of you can’t get experience without a job and you can’t get a job without experience. The only way to do this is to incorporate experiential learning in the form of advanced simulation into cyber education programs. Too many people are coming out of universities and community colleges with degrees or certifications that they still can’t get a job because they have no practical experience. Utilizing simulation based training to augment traditional cybersecurity training will enable students to be prepared to be productive on the job from day one, and will give employers the confidence that they have experienced candidates at the ready.
Sherron Burgess, VP Strategy, Cyversity
The National Cyber Workforce and Education Strategy sets a direction for both workforce and education, while taking an ecosystem-focused approach. This strategy builds on previous efforts from the administration—holistically approaching the gap—engaging stakeholders across education, industry, research, etc. and spanning federal and industry workforces.The Biden Administration’s strategy also represents an innovation in transforming cyber education, which is absolutely necessary in engaging underrepresented groups through new and existing initiatives. Finally, we commend the strong focus of the strategy on lifelong skills—and removing some of the conventional barriers to entry to cybersecurity. And, importantly, the strategy follows the newly released GAO Cybersecurity Workforce report, “National Initiative Needs to Better Assess Its Performance” on NIST’s NICE program, highlighting its strengths and the shortcomings.
Candy Alexander, President, ISSA
The cyber skills shortage has been an ongoing issue for more than 20 years and with the digital footprint encompassing all areas of our lives this comes at a great time. Current education does not provide hands on skills-based readiness to bring entry level and those changing careers to a real work situation. With the combination of skills needed in the industry and communities of individuals in need of skills and career paths, the National Cyber Workforce and Education Strategy couldn’t be timelier.
ISSA has long been studying the life and times of the cybersecurity professional for the past 7 years and has seen little change in the skills gap. In fact, it is widening. The Biden Administration’s strategy is exactly what the industry needs and addresses what we have been advocating for: the collaboration of education institutions, government programs, corporate organizations, and the cyber association communities to build pathways to bridge the gap between pure education and employment.
This is a good move by the Biden administration as having a skilled workforce enables so much when it comes to cyberspace.
UPDATE: I have one more comment:
Emily Phelps, Director, Cyware:
“We’re encouraged to see the Biden-Harris Administration recognize and take action to address the cybersecurity skills and diversity gaps that have continued to impact organizations and individuals. Improving diversity among cybersecurity professionals will not only help increase the volume of cybersecurity experts, but diversity of perspectives and backgrounds will make the industry more effective overall.
“In cybersecurity, we must think about our work as the industry vs. the adversary. Improving accessibility to cyber education, diversifying the cyber workforce, bolstering cybersecurity understanding, and increasing collaborative partnerships will help establish a strong foundation to close the skills gap and support resiliency.”
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This entry was posted on August 1, 2023 at 8:15 am and is filed under Commentary with tags Security. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.