Quick Takeaways
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Workcred’s Accreditation Model: A new accreditation model for cybersecurity clinics evaluates learner competencies and clinic effectiveness, aiming to bridge the cybersecurity skills gap and support workforce readiness.
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Critical Talent Shortage: A 2024 ISC2 report highlights a severe mismatch in the cybersecurity workforce amid rising demand, with a resulting $1.76 million increase in average breach costs attributed to the skills gap.
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Community Clinics’ Role: Community cybersecurity clinics provide hands-on experience for aspiring professionals, yet lack consistent standards until now, risking their ability to deliver workforce-ready talent.
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Engagement and Collaboration: Successful implementation of the accreditation model relies on strong collaboration among educators, industry, policymakers, and communities to ensure high-quality training aligned with national standards.
The Challenge: Finding Employable Cybersecurity Talent
The demand for cybersecurity professionals has reached an all-time high. Yet, a significant gap exists between available jobs and qualified candidates. Numerous organizations struggle to fill these roles, leaving critical vulnerabilities in national infrastructure. A recent report highlights that economic conditions exacerbate this issue, resulting in a workforce shortage. As technology and artificial intelligence rapidly advance, the need for skilled cybersecurity talent becomes even more urgent. Unsurprisingly, this talent shortage carries financial consequences. Companies face substantial costs, with a reported increase in breach expenses largely attributed to the skills gap.
A Solution: Cybersecurity Clinics Supported by an Industry-Informed Accreditation Model
To bridge this skills gap, community cybersecurity clinics offer hands-on training for aspiring cyber professionals. However, not all clinics maintain consistent educational standards. Thus, Workcred and the Cyber Ready Consortium developed an accreditation model to ensure quality. This model evaluates the training effectiveness of clinics and emphasizes key competencies: technical skills, managerial abilities, and employability traits. It aligns clinic training with national standards, enhancing workforce readiness. Furthermore, accredited clinics can provide reliable services to local entities, from schools to small businesses.
Overall, engaging educators, industry leaders, and policymakers will be crucial for this model’s success. By prioritizing workforce development in cybersecurity, communities can contribute significantly to the broader goal of national security. This partnership emphasizes accountability and quality in cybersecurity training, ultimately helping to prepare the next generation of skilled professionals.
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