The Civilian Cybersecurity Reserve: A National Guard-like program to address growing cybersecurity vulnerabilities faced by the U.S. government
The SolarWinds cyberattack as well as other recent cyber breaches targeted at the United States has demonstrate the risks of the cyber workforce shortage. Researchers at Cybersecurity Ventures a trusted source for cybersecurity facts, figures, and statistics stated there is currently 3.5 million unfilled cybersecurity jobs globally, which is enough to fill 50 NFL stadiums. In the US alone according to cybersecurity research groups, there are an estimated 315,000 unfilled cybersecurity positions.
As cybersecurity threats and attacks continue to grow in scale, occurrence, and complexity, it’s critical that a solution to address the deficiency is put in place. Unfortunately, the pipeline of security talent isn’t where it needs to be to help curb the widespread of cyber-crimes we are facing. Until we can rectify the quality of education and training of new cyber practitioners and pursue inclusion using STEM programs to include underrepresented groups, the problem will persist.
In fact, in the past few years there has been a zero-percent unemployment rate in cybersecurity and the opportunities in this field are vast.
To help combat this problem, lawmakers want to create a National Guard-like program to address growing cybersecurity vulnerabilities faced by the U.S. government. This would be like a Civilian Cybersecurity Reserve and it would be voluntary and by invitation only. This would allow our national security agencies to have access to the qualified, capable, and service-oriented American talent necessary to respond when an attack occurs.
What are your thoughts in this program? Do you think it is a good idea and it can help with the overall issue? Please share your opinion.