Strengthening Cybersecurity Through Education | Eastern NC Now

By Paul Bingham and Ben Coulter

    October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a time for individuals, organizations, educators and policymakers to recognize and address cyber threats.

    As Executive Dean of Western Governors University's College of IT (and former FBI agent) and Director of WGU's Southeast Region (former counterintelligence officer), we unreservedly support the National Cybersecurity Workforce and Education Strategy issued by the White House this past summer. This policy is a significant step toward bolstering our nation's collective digital infrastructure and addressing the escalating demand for highly skilled IT professionals in both the public and private sectors.

    The Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) reports that 47% of American adults have had personal information exposed by cyber criminals. The United States continues to face a significant shortfall in cyber talent, with sources citing more than 700,000 open positions in cybersecurity. Currently, there are 21,278 cybersecurity job openings in North Carolina.

    While those numbers appear daunting, the National Cybersecurity Workforce and Education Strategy establishes a clear roadmap to address these challenges and align resources and opportunities to meet the needs of businesses, government agencies and our personal digital lives. We are pleased that provisions of the strategy emphasize collaboration among academia, industry and government. This mirrors our own commitment to forging strong partnerships that drive excellence and innovation in cybersecurity education.

    To amplify employment opportunities, we must ensure that cyber training, education and career pathways are available to everyone with the passion and potential to do the work. In addition to the colleges and universities that offer cybersecurity bachelor's and master's degrees, several community colleges in North Carolina offer associate degrees in cybersecurity.

    While thousands of new graduates nationwide will earn cybersecurity degrees in the next 12 months, we recognize the critical work still needed to foster a robust cybersecurity workforce and strengthen our nation's defenses against cyber adversaries. We can and should focus on these critical considerations:

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military – both active and veteran. We see this as a unique opportunity to support our

service members and ensure a smooth transition to meaningful careers after their

service to our country.

 Innovations in our approach to education and workplace practices are key drivers to

address the rapidly evolving demands of the IT industry. We in the United States need to

accelerate our ability to protect and defend our digital infrastructure. As an example of

offering accelerated cybersecurity education, learners can benefit from a competency-

based-education approach. By emphasizing hands-on experience and problem-solving

abilities, graduates are more job-ready and prepared to tackle the dynamic

cybersecurity landscape.

    As we look to Cybersecurity Awareness Month as a marker in our year to reinforce safe online habits, we stand firmly behind the national policy and pledge our unwavering support in bolstering the nation's cybersecurity workforce. With robust programs, an inclusive student body, and an innovative approach to education, cybersecurity educators are ready to play a pivotal role in fulfilling the objectives set forth by this transformative policy.

    Together, let us build a safer, more secure digital future for our nation.

    Paul Bingham, CISSP, CPA, CFE is executive dean of the College of IT, Western Governors University, an accredited online university with more than 8,000 graduates in North Carolina. Ben Coulter, Ed.D., is southeast regional director for WGU and leads WGU North Carolina.