The Skills Gap, Tech Equity And Future Of Cybersecurity
The cyber equity gap is often about access to equitable resources and education. One cybersecurity startup aims to build a future of equity, closing the knowledge gap one community at a time.
According to the World Economic Forum, the global cyber employee shortage amounts to nearly 4 million cyber experts, with 71 percent of organizations reporting unfilled cybersecurity roles. By 2030, this talent gap could expand to 85 million workers, potentially leading to a staggering $8.5 trillion (about $26,000 per person in the US) in lost annual revenue.
Bridging the gap and potential loss in revenue will require financial and time investment in STEM education at all levels – K-12, higher education and beyond. According to YaTia Hopkins, chief cyber resilience officer at eSentire, the cybersecurity skills gap is not only connected to education, but financial disproportions as well.
“For most people, economic inequality is probably not the first thing that comes to mind when they think about the cybersecurity skills gap,” Hopkins told CRN. “The cybersecurity skills shortage leaves critical sectors more exposed to cyberattacks, and the problem only gets worse when we consider how the digital divide widens the gap due to marginalized groups often not having the means or access to develop the skills required to fill these roles.”
To bridge this gap, several strategies can be employed:
Cyber bridge programs whereby educational institutions develop specialized programs aimed to equip students with the necessary skills for the cybersecurity workforce. Add multidisciplinary approaches that incorporate cybersecurity into their curricula, helping create a diverse pool of learners ready to tackle cyber threats.
Finally, upskilling, and reskilling programs in which businesses partner with educational organizations offering initiatives aimed at attracting, retaining, and retraining professionals in digital skills. By implementing these strategies, we can work towards closing the cybersecurity skills gap and safeguarding our digital future.
Enter tech companies like ‘hyperautomation’ startup Torq, which are accelerating more than security automation. The organization today announced an effort to support and encourage school-age children to pursue careers in STEM, with a specific focus on cybersecurity.
From August 6-8, the tech and cybersecurity world will descend on Las Vegas for the Black Hat security conference and the event will also provide the backdrop for the launch of “Torq for Good.” The fledgling initiative, in its second year, aims to support the next generation of technology talent by connecting Torq and the channel with local charities and STEM educators.
Torq is working with two southern Nevada non-profits. Tech Queen Elite Training Institute, an organization dedicated to training students in coding, business communication skills, and digital marketing technologies. By helping to eliminate barriers, the 501(c)(3) charity helps students earn globally recognized skills in AI and cybersecurity.
The second charity, Communities in Schools of Southern Nevada, whose mission is to assess needs and deliver resources that remove barriers to success, has reduced the drop-out rate while working with more than 100,000 students at 110 schools throughout the area.
Torq for Good’s partnership with the charity works in two parts. To raise awareness of the cyber skills gap and to encourage the next generation of young professionals to consider a career in cybersecurity, Torq will donate $10 for every person that visits its Black Hat booth to Tech Queen Elite Institute. Additionally, the startup has committed a 1:1 donation of socks to their booth visitors, benefiting the Communities in Schools of Southern Nevada.
While committed to building corporate social responsibility, Torq is still developing its long-term goals and strategy for implementation. Thus, the continued impact of the initiative remains to be seen.
“This is a new initiative,” Chief Marketing Officer Don Jeter told CRN in an interview. “We are definitely interested and dedicated on figuring out what impact we can make now. And figuring out how do we get kids exposed to Tech earlier knowing that this is where a lot of the jobs are going to be.”
“Getting that exposure to coding camps earlier can make such a huge impact on a child’s life,” he said.
Hopkins agrees: “Teaching children about cybersecurity is critical for their online safety. A byproduct is creating a new generation of cyber-aware adults, well equipped to become the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.”
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