The online world is riddled with threats at this point in history. Ransomware attacks, security breaches, and run-of-the-mill phishing scams have become commonplace throughout the internet, and businesses and individuals alike are having trouble keeping up with them. Now, the US government is investing some money to train more and more cybersecurity professionals that can fight back against these nefarious hackers. The effort to close the cybersecurity skills gap will not be an easy one, unfortunately. According to some reports, there are as many as 700,000 open cybersecurity roles in the US, leaving businesses and government agencies vulnerable to cyber attacks. The effort to recruit more cybersecurity professionals will focus on young people, women and minorities, which are woefully underrepresented in cybersecurity. Outside of the obvious benefits of diversity in any field, the sheer number of roles to fill means that everyone needs to be included. Without this program, things could get a lot worse too. In addition to the 700,000 open roles across the country, cybersecurity professionals that are currently working are planning to quit in the near future. Suffice it to say, this initiative from the Biden administration could be a big step in the right direction for the entire cybersecurity industry. If you’re a business without a cybersecurity professional on staff, you aren’t completely lost. There are tools like password managers, VPNs, and antivirus software that can at least somewhat protect you against these threats. Still, we recommend getting someone on staff soon to protect you against larger threats looming around the corner.
