The US government has announced its commitment to invest $3.6 million in the development of a cybersecurity workforce that will protect businesses from potential cyber attacks. The Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) will allocate approximately $200,000 to 18 education and community-centric organizations across 15 states to address the shortage of skilled cybersecurity professionals in the country.
The cooperative agreement will be overseen by NICE, a partnership between the US government, academia, and the private sector that focuses on cybersecurity education and workforce development. NIST Director Laurie E. Locascio expressed excitement about the future of cybersecurity and the impact that the grants could have on creating a future where Americans have access to the necessary training for secure and well-paying jobs.
The chosen organizations will collaborate to build Regional Alliances and Multistakeholder Partnerships to Stimulate (RAMPS) cybersecurity education programs. These projects will align with the workforce needs of local businesses, firms, and nonprofit organizations, as projected by NIST’s cybersecurity workforce framework.
The US government’s pledge aligns with the data provided by the CyberSeek tool, which is funded by NICE. The tool analyzes data about the cybersecurity workforce market and reveals that there were 448,033 cybersecurity job opportunities in the US between January 2023 and January 2024. Another survey indicates that the cybersecurity sub-sector continues to grow, despite layoffs in the tech industry. Job vacancies for cybersecurity professionals have increased by 350% from 2013 to 2021, with approximately 3.5 million unfulfilled roles in the sector as of 2023, including over 700,000 positions in the US.
The shortage of skilled cybersecurity professionals is a significant concern as cyber risks continue to rise in the US. According to IBM, 83% of organizations experienced some form of cyber attack in 2022. The severity of these incidents can have devastating consequences, such as declines in stock prices and disruptions to supply chains. Internet Crime Report data reveals that US residents filed 880,418 cybercrime complaints in 2023. The eSentire 2023 Cybercrime report projects that the cost of cybercrime damage will reach $10.5 trillion by 2025.
These alarming statistics highlight the urgent need for a robust cybersecurity workforce. Various industries within and outside the US have recognized the prevalence of cybercrime as a major concern. Regulators like the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) have also started prioritizing cybersecurity. In 2023, Chainalysis reported $1 billion in cryptocurrency ransomware payments.
In response to these challenges, the NIST has established the US Artificial Intelligence Safety Institute (USAISI) as part of President Joe Biden’s AI policy. The USAISI will lead the nation’s efforts in AI safety and trust, including the evaluation of advanced AI models. The NIST has also formed the AI Safety Institute Consortium, consisting of over 200 organizations, to develop science-based guidelines and standards for AI measurement and policy. This consortium will help address the capabilities and risks associated with the next generation of AI models.
Overall, the US government’s pledge to invest $3.6 million in the cybersecurity workforce demonstrates its commitment to addressing the growing threat of cyber attacks and protecting businesses. By supporting education and community-centric organizations, the government aims to bridge the gap in skilled cybersecurity professionals and create a future where Americans have access to high-quality and well-paying jobs in the field.
