Reinforcing the Nation’s Cybersecurity Defenses
By Chris Simpson
January 17, 2025
Veterans and Colleges Must Join Forces to Reinforce the Nation’s Cybersecurity Defenses
As cyber threats increasingly challenge global security, the demand for cybersecurity professionals has never been more urgent. Alarmingly, the United States faces a significant shortage of workers in this critical field, with more than half a million cybersecurity jobs going unfilled. Gartner, a leading technology consulting firm, predicts that by 2025, half of all cybersecurity incidents will stem from this lack of skilled talent and human mistakes.
Recent findings from the 2024 ISC2 Global Workforce Study paint an alarming picture: nearly 60% of organizations report that skills gaps have significantly impacted their security posture, with 58% stating these gaps put their organizations at substantial risk. Despite this urgent need, economic pressures have led to staff and budget reductions, further compromising organizational security.
The solution to this crisis lies in reconsidering traditional hiring pools and pathways into cybersecurity. The ISC2 study reveals that successful cybersecurity professionals increasingly come from diverse professional backgrounds beyond IT, with these varied pathways proving equally valuable to career success. The military community—both veterans and military spouses—represents an especially promising talent pool. Veterans bring a disciplined approach and mission-driven mindset, while military spouses offer exceptional adaptability and proven success in remote work environments. However, transitioning to civilian cybersecurity careers remains challenging for both groups, often due to outdated educational models and hiring practices that create artificial barriers to entry.
https://www.realcleardefense.com/articles/2025/01/17/reinforcing_the_nations_cybersecurity_defenses_1085335.html
