How Florida is helping train the next generation of cybersecurity professionals

Major cybersecurity companies like Cisco and Symantec have projected that global demand for cyber professionals could grow to 6 million by 2019 – with as many as 1.5 million of those positions going unfilled for lack of qualified candidates.

Federal and state governments, academic institutions and private companies are all scrambling to address this urgent need, spending millions of dollars on various efforts.

Academic institutions are key elements in supplying cybersecurity workers because employers want to hire educated and experienced staff.

Universities are well-suited to provide expert-level training on diverse topics, like data analytics, risk management, psychology, legal and public policy.

In the nearly two years since launching, FC2 has helped to add more than 20 degree programs and graduate certificates in the various universities in the state university system.

Close relations between businesses and university cybersecurity programs not only allow efficient curricular updates; they also can give students opportunities for real-time experience and training, which are critical factors in hiring decisions.