A significant shift in the U.S. cybersecurity landscape is on the horizon with the introduction of the National Cyber Workforce and Education Strategy (NCWES). The comprehensive initiative by the Biden Administration is designed to fill countless vacant cyber positions nationwide, underscoring America’s ambition to lead in the digital economy.
Blake Schwank, the CEO of Colorado Computer Support, hailed the launch of NCWES. “It’s a game-changer,” he said. “This strategy offers every American a chance to thrive in the cyber environment. We’re not just talking about a handful of high-level roles. We’re seeing opportunities across the spectrum, from certification roles to community college degrees. It’s an incredible step towards closing the cybersecurity skills gap.”
NCWES, which embodies a cooperative ethos, was developed with various non-government stakeholders, including private industry, academia, non-profits, and government partners. It aims to effect change broadly, demanding robust participation and collaboration from all entities involved.
Ashu Bhoot, the CTO of Orion Networks, a Washington D.C. IT services professional, further highlighted the significance of this collaboration. “The key to NCWES’s potential success is its cooperative approach,” he commented. “Engaging stakeholders from across the spectrum, including education, government, and private industry, paves the way for comprehensive, large-scale change. It’s an exciting prospect for the entire cybersecurity community.”
NCWES is guided by three imperatives: stimulating a nationwide effort for cyber education and workforce development, equipping all Americans with necessary cyber skills, and advocating for diversity and inclusion within the cyber workforce. These guiding principles stand on four pillars: equipping every American with foundational cyber skills, transforming cyber education, expanding and enhancing the National Cyber Workforce, and strengthening the Federal Cyber Workforce.
Schwank further emphasized the importance of these pillars. “At Colorado Computer Support, we’re especially excited about the transformative potential of NCWES on cyber education. It not only addresses the immediate need for a skilled cyber workforce but also prepares learners for a future technological environment that’s dynamic and ever-evolving,” he said.
The NCWES has already received high commendations from cybersecurity experts. Its focus on an ecosystem-driven approach to cyber education, diversity, and inclusion and its cooperative approach are being recognized as key drivers to bridge the gap between education and employment in the cyber domain.
As NCWES begins to shape the nation’s cyber workforce, Bhoot from Orion Networks believes the future is promising. “With this initiative, the U.S. has taken a pivotal step towards establishing itself as a digital economy leader,” he concluded. “The path to a secure digital future just got clearer.”
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