In an effort to address the critical shortage of skilled cybersecurity professionals, the United States National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has announced the allocation of nearly $3.6 million in cooperative agreements.
These funds will be distributed to 18 education and community-focused organizations across 15 states, each receiving approximately $200,000.
This initiative aims to fortify the nation’s defense against the growing threat of cyberattacks by enhancing the cybersecurity workforce.
Multisector Effort to Combat Cyber Threats
Overseen by the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE)—a collaboration among government, academia, and the private sector—these agreements represent a concerted effort to tackle the skills gap in the cybersecurity domain.
Laurie E. Locascio, director of NIST, emphasized the significance of this investment, stating, “Our economic and national security depend on a highly skilled workforce capable of defending against ever-increasing cyber threats.”
Addressing the Cybersecurity Talent Gap
Data from CyberSeek, a tool analyzing the cybersecurity job market funded by NICE, highlights the current shortfall, with around 450,000 cybersecurity job openings in the last year but only 82 workers available for every 100 positions.
This discrepancy underscores the urgent need for initiatives like the one NIST has undertaken.
Rising Incidents of Cybercrime and Data Breaches
The urgency of bolstering the cybersecurity workforce is further underscored by increasing incidents of cybercrime and data breaches.
According to Statista, 2023 saw at least 100 cases of private data exposure within U.S. government entities, impacting 15 million individuals.
The Consumer Sentinel Network reported that over 353 million people were affected by data breaches overall in 2023.
Moreover, the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Internet Crime Report indicated a 10% increase in cybercrime complaints from the public in 2023, with 880,418 complaints received.
Regional Partnerships and AI Safety Initiatives
The awarded grantees will contribute to building Regional Alliances and Multistakeholder Partnerships to Stimulate (RAMPS) cybersecurity education and workforce development. This initiative seeks to align with local businesses and nonprofits in dire need of cybersecurity talent.
Additionally, NIST’s efforts extend beyond cybersecurity to the realm of artificial intelligence (AI), with the establishment of an AI Safety Institute consortium in response to the Biden administration’s executive order on AI safety policies.
Through these comprehensive initiatives, NIST and its partners aim to significantly strengthen the United States’ capacity to defend against cyber threats and ensure the safety and security of its digital infrastructure.
