National Cyber Workforce and Education Strategy Unveiled: A New Era for U.S. Cybersecurity Begins
Uncover the transformative potential of the Biden Administration’s National Cyber Workforce and Education Strategy (NCWES). Hear from key industry players like Blake Schwank of Colorado Computer Support and Ashu Bhoot of Orion Networks as they explore the initiative’s collaborative nature, guiding principles, and its anticipated influence on the U.S. digital economy and cybersecurity landscape.
In a pivotal moment for U.S. cybersecurity, the Biden Administration has launched the National Cyber Workforce and Education Strategy (NCWES). This sweeping initiative, designed to infuse fresh energy into the cybersecurity landscape, promises to fill an extensive range of vacant cyber positions nationwide. This move boldly underscores America’s determination to hold the reins in the fast-paced digital economy.
Blake Schwank, the seasoned CEO of Colorado Computer Support, expressed high hopes for NCWES, stating, “This isn’t just a new strategy; it’s a paradigm shift for American cybersecurity. NCWES is making the cyber environment more accessible than ever. With its wide array of opportunities, from certification-based positions to roles requiring community college degrees, the path towards eradicating the cybersecurity skills gap has become much clearer.”
NCWES’s development, underscored by a collaborative ethos, is the product of concerted efforts involving a broad spectrum of non-government stakeholders. These include private industry, academia, non-profits, and government partners. NCWES aims to trigger a broad-based transformation, necessitating substantial collaboration and engagement from all involved entities.
Ashu Bhoot, the CTO of Orion Networks, based in Washington D.C., lauded this collaborative perspective, “The potential of NCWES lies in its cooperative approach. By uniting stakeholders across diverse fields, including education, government, and private industry, NCWES promises to effect transformative change at an unprecedented scale. This heralds an invigorating chapter for the entire cybersecurity community.”
The guiding principles of NCWES revolve around three core imperatives: igniting a nationwide initiative for cyber education and workforce development, equipping all Americans with indispensable cyber skills, and cultivating diversity and inclusion within the cyber workforce. These imperatives are anchored on four pillars: endowing every American with foundational cyber skills, revolutionizing cyber education, broadening and enriching the National Cyber Workforce, and bolstering the Federal Cyber Workforce.
Schwank from Colorado Computer Support expanded on the implications of these pillars, “We’re particularly thrilled about the transformative potential of NCWES on cyber education. It’s not merely about addressing the immediate need for a skilled cyber workforce. NCWES is setting the stage for preparing learners to thrive in a technological landscape that’s dynamic and perpetually evolving.”
Cybersecurity experts have widely praised NCWES’s ecosystem-driven approach to cyber education, commitment to diversity and inclusion, and cooperative philosophy. These attributes are increasingly recognized as potent levers to bridge the gap between education and employment in the cyber domain.
As NCWES begins to shape the contours of the nation’s cyber workforce, Bhoot from Orion Networks voiced his optimism, “With the introduction of NCWES, the U.S. is steadfastly marching towards securing its place as a global digital economy leader. The vision of a secure and robust digital future has never been clearer.”
