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With more than half a million cybersecurity jobs unfilled nationwide in the US, private enterprise and the federal government alike are focusing efforts to help fill the gap by changing hiring strategies and encouraging careers in IT security. This week, the White House Office of the National Cyber Director (ONCD), in collaboration with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), announced the "Service for America" initiative, which is part of the National Cyber Workforce and Education Strategy (NCWES). The main directive is to recruit and prepare Americans for jobs in cybersecurity, technology, and artificial intelligence (AI). The initiative focuses on creating accessible career pathways by removing degree requirements, and emphasizing skills-based hiring.

👏 The Office of the National Cyber Director convened a gathering involving more than 30 companies to enhance the cybersecurity workforce. Under the leadership of the Biden-Harris Administration, there is a shift towards skill-based recruitment for federal technical staff, a move echoed by federal contractors. Furthermore, private sector entities are pledging to remove degree prerequisites for cybersecurity roles and to enhance training prospects, such as apprenticeships. 🙄 Hoping that this type of decision will be adopted in the future by all countries, we could finally see a significant evolution in how businesses approach recruitment and workforce management. By focusing on skill-based recruitment rather than degrees, companies could expand their talent pool and offer equitable opportunities to all qualified individuals, regardless of their educational background. This approach would also promote diversity and inclusion, thereby enriching perspectives and skills within organizations. Moreover, by valuing skills and practical experience over academic credentials, businesses could drive innovation and efficiency while better addressing the evolving needs of the labor market. Ultimately, such a shift in business mindset could lead to more dynamic, equitable, and high-performing work environments globally. #CyberSecurity #Security #InfoSec #Ethicalhacking #Pentesting #RedTeaming #Dataprotection #BlueTeaming #Tech #IT #cybercrime #informationsecurity #intelligence #cybersecuritynews #networksecurity #websecurity #penetrationtesting #hacking #cloudsecurity #cloud #cloudcomputing #cloudapplications #cloudcomputing

The cybersecurity talent shortage is prompting action from the White House. Nathan Eddy says: "With more than half a million cybersecurity jobs unfilled nationwide in the US, private enterprise and the federal government alike are focusing efforts to help fill the gap by changing hiring strategies and encouraging careers in IT security." With growing threats and a critical need for skilled professionals, the administration is focusing on initiatives to enhance cybersecurity education and workforce development. Addressing this shortage is essential for strengthening our national security and protecting vital information. #Cybersecurity #TalentShortage #WhiteHouse #NationalSecurity #WorkforceDevelopment #TechIndustry

Cybersecurity Talent Shortage Prompts White House Action #CybersecurityTalentShortagePromptsWhiteHouseAction

Cybersecurity Talent Shortage: Time to Ditch the Degree Requirement? The cybersecurity workforce is facing a critical shortage, with millions of unfilled positions globally. This gap poses a major threat to our national security and critical infrastructure. But what if the key to solving this crisis isn't in classrooms, but in rethinking our hiring practices? A recent article in Clearance Jobs highlights a bold proposal from the National Cyber Director: removing the college degree requirement for many cybersecurity jobs. This may seem radical, but it's worth considering. Why the degree requirement is holding us back: • Limited talent pool: By insisting on a degree, we're excluding countless qualified candidates who may have gained their skills through alternative paths, like boot camps, on-the-job training, or self-study. • Cost barrier: A cybersecurity degree can be expensive, putting it out of reach for many talented individuals, especially those from underrepresented communities. • Skills mismatch: Degrees don't always guarantee job-ready skills. The cybersecurity field is constantly evolving, and traditional education often struggles to keep pace. What can we do instead? • Focus on skills, not degrees: Let's prioritize demonstrably relevant skills and experience over academic credentials. Practical assessments and certifications can be a more accurate gauge of preparedness. • Invest in alternative training: Support bootcamps, apprenticeships, and other non-traditional pathways to equip individuals with the necessary skills, regardless of their educational background. • Create diverse hiring pipelines: Actively seek talent from non-traditional backgrounds, including veterans, minorities, and career changers. By embracing these changes, we can unlock a vast pool of untapped talent and build a more robust cybersecurity workforce. It's time to move beyond outdated hiring practices and focus on what truly matters: finding the best people for the job, regardless of their pedigree. #cybersecurity #workforce #talentshortage #skills #education #opportunity https://lnkd.in/g7QGdg2Y

We need new approaches to addressing the cyber skills gap. More paper certifications is not one of them.

Survey results also indicated many organizations lack alignment between HR and #Cybersecurity teams, with 37% of managers suggesting HR needs a deeper understanding of #Cyber roles, and 46% calling for better collaboration

JUST IN CASE YOU ARE STILL PROCASTINATING OVER THE POSSIBILITY OF CAREER OPPORTUNITIES WITHIN CYBERSECURITY WHILST WONDERING WHETHER PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS ARE WORTH YOUR ATTENTION OR NOT, I HOPE THIS ARTICLE WILL HELP YOU MAKE UP YOUR MIND. I BELIEVE THAT IT IS A LUCRATIVE, EXCITING INDUSTRY FULL OF PROMISE FOR THOSE WHO DEDICATE THEM SELVES TO GROWTH INT THIS SPHERE. https://lnkd.in/d2DMdH6D

With a staggering shortage of over half a million cybersecurity professionals in the US, the White House has launched the "Service for America" initiative to address this critical gap. The program emphasises skills-based hiring and diverse pathways into cybersecurity roles, removing traditional barriers like degree requirements. Businesses and the government are pivoting towards unconventional talent pools to fill these roles, but many organisations still face challenges aligning their hiring practices with the evolving landscape of cybersecurity needs. Urgent Need for Cyber Talent: Over 470,000 cybersecurity jobs remain unfilled in the US, driving federal initiatives to create accessible career pathways. Skills Over Degrees: The shift to skills-based hiring is opening doors for nontraditional candidates, including those from arts, theater, and other unconventional backgrounds. Bridging the Cybersecurity Gap: Companies must adapt by providing on-the-job training and prioritizing certifications over traditional degrees to build a robust cyber workforce. Let's discuss how Cloudstaff can help your company navigate the cybersecurity talent shortage and reduce risk with flexible, skills-based solutions. Contact me today to learn more!

Despite a growing workforce, the cybersecurity industry still needs nearly 265,000 additional professionals. As technology is constantly making advancements, AI skills are becoming increasingly valuable. https://hubs.ly/Q02TT83Z0 ICON Consultants specializes in placing IT and cybersecurity professionals. Let's connect to discuss your career goals and how we can help you land your dream job. #cybersecurity #ITjobs #techcareer #hiring #jobsearch