On July 31, 2023, the Biden-Harris Administration launched the inaugural National Cyber Workforce and Education Strategy (NCWES), Unleashing America’s Cyber Talent. Mobilizing America’s cyber talent and creating sustainable ecosystems is critical to fostering the lifelong development of cyber skills, as well as increasing diversity and inclusion within the workforce. Cyber ecosystems vary based on geography and sector, yet typically entail collaboration between K-12 education systems, higher education institutions, employers, non-profits, labor unions, parents, students, workers, and more. Stakeholders underpin the framework of successful cyber ecosystems; however, it is not always clear what the general recipe is for creating a cyber workforce and education ecosystem that bolsters our cyber talent pipelines.
Today, there is an urgent requirement to fill hundreds of thousands of cyber jobs throughout the Nation. Projections suggest the demand will increase, particularly for talent in emerging technologies such as quantum computing and artificial intelligence. The rapid proliferation of these technologies requires investment in the Nation’s cyber workforce to combat the evolving threat landscape, especially for attacks targeting critical infrastructure and operational technology. Local and regional workforce and education ecosystems will drive resiliency through the power of strategic partnership and resource allocation.
This Cyber Workforce and Education Ecosystem toolkit guides anyone who wants to develop or expand their local offerings and contribute to national efforts in cybersecurity. Ongoing collaboration, strategic planning, implementation, and coordination are critical. The Office of the National Cyber Director (ONCD) is committed to building collaborative networks and expanding existing and emergent cyber workforce and education ecosystems to create lasting and positive impacts across all levels from local to international. The end goal is to foster the growth of strong talent pipelines and help people secure good-paying cyber jobs and find meaningful careers.
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