Building the US cyber workforce: How Greater Washington is closing the gap

The cyber-attacks against US nuclear facilities are just the latest reminders of the crucial and persistent challenge of securing our nation’s important assets. Clearly, cyber threats are growing in number, complexity, and sophistication, underscoring the need for public and private sector entities to raise the bar on cybersecurity throughout their enterprises.

These rising threats are causing organizations and their current IT workforces to sound the alarm: not enough talent is available to properly address the myriad of cyber threats facing our nation. In fact, it is predicted that by 2022, there will be a shortfall of 1.8 million cybersecurity professionals in the US.

Building a cyber workforce from the ground up requires a serious investment of time and resources.  In order to proactively counter current threats and protect our nation’s cyber infrastructure, enterprises need a more immediate source of cybersecurity expertise and experience. The companies, leaders, and cyber professionals of the Greater Washington region, including Washington D.C., Virginia and Maryland, are answering the call.

As the epicenter of our nation’s national security ecosystem, Greater Washington has the highest density of cybersecurity positions in the country -- some 84,000 strong. In addition, 210 million dollars in cybersecurity venture capital funding came into the region in 2016. There is also an unparalleled research effort through the local universities and government institutions such as DARPA, IARPA, ODNI, ARL and AFRL. Even cybersecurity incubators and investors like MACH37 and In-Q-Tel are getting involved, driving innovation around how we address the cyber threats of today and the future.

The region’s proximity, expertise and unparalleled experience in serving the federal government are critical, both for the development of policies and ensuring the protection of America’s interests, citizens assets, and data. Companies in the region have decades of experience supporting and securing the defense, intelligence and federal civilian sectors, addressing threats to our nation’s information and infrastructure, as well as preparing for and preventing cybersecurity threats from our adversaries. And yet, there are currently tens of thousands of unfilled cybersecurity jobs in Greater Washington, making up 14 percent of cyber openings in the US.

As leaders in the tech field, we need to encourage more people to pursue cybersecurity careers that offer meaningful work and the ability to contribute to a larger mission that truly impacts the lives of our citizens. This cybersecurity mission also presents a fresh opportunity for organizations to tap into talent within groups like millennials, Gen Z and transitioning Veterans and engage them in the purpose-driven work they desire. Organizations and jurisdictions also should consider upskilling programs to leverage their current talent, providing them with cybersecurity skills that can be put to use in the near term.  In the short-term, we need to do everything possible to attract the best and the brightest from around the country and the world to the Greater Washington region.

The Northern Virginia Technology Council (NVTC) and Monster Government Solutions are working together to accelerate and promote growth in this critical sector. Targeting job seekers, companies, cyber professionals, investors, students, educators and government, www.CyberCapital.us is a new resource that offers the latest cyber data in areas like workforce and funding, links to regional resources, highlights academic and training programs. Additionally, the new resource showcases cybersecurity job openings in Washington D.C., Virginia, and Maryland.

Partnerships like this in the nation’s capital are not only addressing the cyber workforce needs of today, but also building a pipeline of the skills and innovation needed to keep our country secure for generations to come. Through collaboration across the public and private sectors we can better train our workforce for the cyber needs of tomorrow.

Greater Washington has a unique set of cybersecurity assets that no other region in the country or the world can match. We invite anyone with an interest in securing our nation’s assets -- whether they are government, businesses, or personal -- to learn more about the nation’s cybersecurity capital at www.CyberCapital.us.

Bobbie Kilberg is president and CEO of the Northern Virginia Technology Council, a membership and trade association representing about 1,000 companies and organizations in the Greater Washington region’s technology community. The co-author of this piece, Steve Cooker, is executive vice president of Monster Worldwide and leads its global government solutions practice.