The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is addressing the critical shortage of skilled cybersecurity professionals by allocating nearly $3.6 million in cooperative agreements. These funds, distributed to 18 education and community organizations across 15 states, aim to equip enterprises with the workforce necessary to safeguard against cybersecurity risks. Under the oversight of NICE (National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education), a NIST-led partnership, these grants will support initiatives focused on cybersecurity education, training, and workforce development.
With cybersecurity job openings reaching nearly 450,000 in the U.S. between January 2023 and January 2024, the scarcity of qualified personnel is evident. The CyberSeek tool, funded by NICE, reveals that only 82 workers are available for every 100 cybersecurity job openings during this period. The cooperative agreements awarded by NIST will facilitate the creation of Regional Alliances and Multistakeholder Partnerships to Stimulate (RAMPS) cybersecurity education and workforce development, aligning local workforce needs with the NICE Workforce Framework for Cybersecurity.
NIST’s RAMPS program is designed to provide diverse pathways into cybersecurity careers, addressing the needs of individuals from varied backgrounds and experiences. These initiatives promote curriculum development, education, training, and work-based learning opportunities such as internships, apprenticeships, and projects. By supporting workshops, bootcamps, competitions, and hackathons, NIST aims to foster a robust and skilled cybersecurity workforce capable of meeting the evolving demands of the digital landscape.
