600,000 Vacant Cybersecurity Positions Leave US Infrastructure Vulnerable

Clogs in the talent pipeline are leaving federal cybersecurity officials, cash-strapped local governments, and big businesses even more susceptible to hacking and ransomware attacks, the House Committee on Homeland Security was told this week.

Landwebs Landwebs
Dec 5, 2021 - 08:00
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The Biden administration is accelerating efforts to fill nearly 600,000 vacant cybersecurity positions in the public and private sectors as clogs in the talent pipeline are leaving federal, cash-strapped local governments and Big Business even more susceptible to hacking, reports Axios. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Director Jen Easterly told the House Committee on Homeland Security said it’s necessary to consider those who have the right technical skills and attitude but may lack a traditional educational background, or years of formal experience in the industry.

Government, nonprofit, and private entities also are partnering with community colleges and historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to cast a wider net across a range of socioeconomic and academic backgrounds. Private companies like GuidePoint Security are training veterans leaving the military for careers in cybersecurity.  Historically, local and federal government entities have struggled to compete with private sector companies, where bidding wars for talent are commonplace. Women hold only 20 percent of all cybersecurity jobs, and just 3 percent of the federal government’s IT workforce is under the age of 30.

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