CECU : DNC Hack Highlights the Need for Well Trained Cybersecurity Professionals

7/25/2016 

 

Washington, DC – July 25, 2016 - The recent hack of the Democratic National Committee, part of a wave of cyberattacks targeting American organizations, shows that the need for skilled cybersecurity professionals is more important than ever. Experts have commented that the cybersecurity industry is one of the fastest growing industries in the world. But the industry faces a critical problem: a shortage of skilled workers. 

​According to a 2015 analysis of numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics by Peninsula Press, more than 209,000 cybersecurity jobs in the U.S. are unfilled, with postings up 74% over the past five years. The demand for cybersecurity talent has been growing across many sectors: 

 

 

 

 Source: Burning Glass

The industry’s growth is expected to continue, a trend that could worsen the labor shortage. Citing a report from Gartner, The Wall Street Journal reported that the global cybersecurity market is expected to grow from $75 billion in 2015 to $170 billion by 2020. Michael Brown, CEO at security software vendor Symantec, previously told Forbes that by 2019, global demand for cybersecurity professionals is expected to rise to 6 million, with a projected shortfall of 1.5 million.

“Unless we take action and prepare students to fill these open positions, we will continue to read about serious data breaches every few weeks. As providers of cybersecurity specialists, career education colleges and universities can help ensure America’s workforce is equipped with the skills necessary to combat the growing threat of cybercrime,” said Steve Gunderson, president and CEO of Career Education Colleges and Universities.