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Symposium Tackles Cyber Workforce Challenges

Experts discuss training information technology personnel.

At the Cyber Education, Research, and Training Symposium 2019, Brig. Gen. Dennis A. Crall, USMC, (now a Maj. Gen.) principal deputy cyber adviser, Office of the Secretary of Defense, said warfighter education and training must focus on mission preparation.

The top five U.S. cybersecurity workforce positions in demand today are information systems security developer, information systems security manager, systems developer, research and development specialist, and software developer. To fill these posts, entry-level positions must be developed in the areas of systems administrators, network operations and cyber operator specialists. All of this demand requires a steady supply of training.

Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University Software Engineering Institute uncovered these facts as they examined the critical challenges facing the United States’ cybersecurity workforce shortage. In particular, the evaluators discovered one challenge to filling many information technology (IT) cyber vacancies is the difficulty in designing a one-size-fits-all assessment tool to identify individual skills and capabilities. The absence of a single tool makes training plans more difficult.

But regardless of how proficiency is measured, the United States isn’t the only country experiencing a shortage of workers with cybersecurity skills. The Center for Strategic and International Studies surveyed information technology decision makers in eight countries and found that 82 percent of their employers are suffering a shortage of personnel with cybersecurity skills.

To ensure U.S. warfighters have the training they need to fill military cyber openings, AFCEA International will host the Cyber Education, Research, and Training Symposium (CERTS) January 14-16, 2020, in Augusta, Georgia, home of Fort Gordon and the Army’s Cyber Center of Excellence. Building the Cyber Workforce–Attract, Train, Educate, and Retain is the symposium’s theme.

Through keynote presentations and panels comprising industry, government, military and academic leaders, participants will learn about current cybersecurity workforce challenges, issues and requirements. During breakout sessions, discussions will focus on how organizations are addressing the cyber workforce life cycle from recruiting and training to on-the-job cyber responsibilities.

This year’s CERTS also will feature networking opportunities; secondary school and collegiate/professional Capture the Flag exercises; and a Research Poster Show comprising entries from local secondary schools and colleges.

Glenn F. Faillace, special advisor to the Vice President, cyber, space and weapons of mass destruction, will provide an overview of the administration’s cyber priorities and how enhanced cybersecurity can be achieved through training and information awareness. In addition, Alan Paller, founder, SANS Institute, will moderate panelists examining the four keys to a world-class workforce program.

Among other discussion topics will be federal, state and local initiatives to develop the cybersecurity workforce; academic and industry skills improvement programs; and ways to build the cyber talent pipeline to ensure future workforce growth.

Additional CERTS information and registration is available at www.afcea.org/event/CERTSHome. CERT is a registered trademark of Carnegie Mellon University. AFCEA CERTS is not affiliated with Carnegie Mellon University or the Software Engineering Institute.