In a move to address the increasing threat of cyberattacks and the shortage of qualified professionals, Google CEO Sundar Pichai has committed $20 million to support and expand the Consortium of Cybersecurity Clinics. These clinics, akin to free medical and legal aid clinics, involve college students and instructors who help their communities while gaining practical experience in their fields. The initiative aims to introduce thousands of students to potential careers in cybersecurity, emphasizing the importance of defending small government offices, rural hospitals, and nonprofits from hacking. The announcement comes in the wake of a 38% global increase in cyberattacks in 2022.
Pichai emphasized that technology not only poses new threats but can also be a powerful tool in combating them. Google has recently launched the Cybersecurity Certificate program and collaborated with universities in New York on a research program to create learning and career opportunities in the cybersecurity sector. The initiative has received bipartisan support from Congressional members, with a focus on addressing the country’s economic competitiveness and national security.
The cybersecurity clinics are expected to provide hands-on experience for students, helping small organizations lacking their own technology departments with threat assessments and defense installations. With over 650,000 open cybersecurity jobs, Pichai stressed the need for a diverse workforce to tackle the issue. The funding from Google.org is seen as a critical contribution that will enable the establishment of new clinics, particularly benefiting smaller universities and colleges, as well as minority-serving institutions. The goal of the Consortium of Cybersecurity Clinics is to have clinics in every state by 2030, making significant strides in democratizing cybersecurity and creating employment opportunities across the nation.
