National Cyber Director Emphasizes Shift in Hiring Practices to Address Cybersecurity Workforce Needs

Published:

Building America’s Cybersecurity Workforce: Insights from Kemba Walden Coker at Hinds Community College

At Hinds Community College, National Cyber Director Kemba Walden Coker delivered an inspiring vision for the future of America’s cybersecurity workforce. His remarks not only highlighted the national strategy but also emphasized local progress and the essential partnerships that are driving the field forward. Coker’s message was clear: “Cyber is about people. It doesn’t matter what your area code is. What matters is if you have the passion, discipline, and commitment to the cause, there is a place for you in the cyber workforce.”

A Growing Cyber Workforce in Mississippi

Coker acknowledged the significant contributions of Mississippi to the cybersecurity landscape, particularly spotlighting local educational institutions. Hinds Community College, recognized as the first school in the state to earn the prestigious National Security Agency Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) designation, received specific praise from Coker. “That status is not easy to obtain nor maintain. It’s the gold standard for cyber education, so it’s a big deal, and Mississippi should be proud of Hinds Community College,” he stated.

In addition to Hinds, Jackson State University has made strides in cybersecurity education with a recent $2 million Energy grant that funded a Critical Power Grid Network Security Lab. This facility is crucial for training students to protect vital infrastructure. Similarly, Tougaloo College has established a Cybersecurity Clinic, providing students with hands-on experience while assisting small businesses and local organizations in safeguarding their digital assets. These initiatives align closely with the White House’s National Cyber Workforce and Education Strategy (NCWES), released in July 2023, which aims to address the estimated 500,000 unfilled cyber jobs nationwide.

Driving Skills-Based Hiring

A pivotal moment in Coker’s address was his emphasis on the importance of skills-based hiring. He highlighted new commitments from industry leaders, including ClearanceJobs, which is taking significant steps to promote this hiring model. “ClearanceJobs will encourage skills-based hiring by providing new resources to both candidates and hiring managers for how to apply and hire for skills-based roles,” Coker noted.

This initiative is a vital component of the NCWES’s mission to dismantle traditional barriers to entry in the cybersecurity field, ensuring that job opportunities are accessible to diverse talent pools across the country. The efforts of ClearanceJobs, under the leadership of President Evan Lesser, were recognized as a crucial step in connecting skilled workers with meaningful job opportunities.

Local Talent, National Impact

Coker’s speech underscored the importance of local ecosystems in addressing national workforce challenges. He pointed out that communities that foster collaboration—where educational institutions and employers work closely together, where students gain skills through internships and apprenticeships, and where local governments facilitate connections—are the ones that thrive and contribute significantly to the nation’s cybersecurity workforce.

Mississippi, once viewed as an “untapped talent pool,” is now emerging as a model of collaboration and innovation. Investments such as the $1.2 billion from the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, along with the expanding NSA designations for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), are laying the groundwork for sustainable progress in the cybersecurity sector.

Cybersecurity: A Collaborative Mission

Throughout his address, Coker emphasized that the federal government cannot tackle workforce challenges in isolation. He praised the partnerships that have formed across academia, industry, and non-profits, highlighting the contributions of organizations like IBM, Cisco, and the National Cybersecurity Alliance in supporting HBCUs and creating pathways into the cybersecurity workforce.

“Collaboration and partnership are critical to our success,” Coker stated. “And we’ve been seeing time and time again, partners step up and join our efforts.” He issued a call to action for communities across the United States to emulate Mississippi’s successes, announcing the launch of the Cyber Workforce and Education Ecosystem Toolkit. This toolkit aims to provide actionable resources for regions seeking to replicate best practices in building a robust cybersecurity workforce.

Conclusion

Kemba Walden Coker’s vision for America’s cybersecurity workforce is not just aspirational; it is grounded in the realities of local progress and collaborative efforts. By fostering partnerships, promoting skills-based hiring, and investing in education, communities can build a diverse and capable workforce ready to tackle the challenges of the digital age. As Mississippi demonstrates, with the right strategies and commitment, the future of cybersecurity can be bright and inclusive, paving the way for a safer digital landscape for all.

Related articles

Recent articles