Bridging the Cyber Security Skills Gap
We all know about the war for talent and one big gap is in security. Today we(IBM) are announcing that we are adding 11 academic collaborations to its more than 200 partnerships with universities across the globe, focusing on cyber security.
I was looking at some stats from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, and this field of cyber security is expected to grow by 22%. Especially with the Cloud , and data in mobile environment, this experience will become one of the most crucial!. A UK government report said that it may take 20 years to address the current cyber security skills gaps.
The IBM Academic Initiative (yes, part of my new role!)
As part of IBM’s Academic Initiative, we are launching new curriculum and programs focusing on cyber security with Ballarat University in Australia, Fordham University, Georgia Institute of Technology, San Jose State University, Technische Universität Darmstadt in Germany, Temasek Polytechnic in Singapore, Universidad Cenfotec in Costa Rica, Universiti Kebangsaan in Malaysia, The University of South Carolina, University of Texas at Dallas, and Wroclaw University of Economics in Poland.
IBM’s Cyber Security Innovation Program:
With all the gaps in skills, we have worked to design and facilitate collaboration with educators around the globe to teach students cyber security skills needed to be competitive in a rapidly changing work environment. As part of the Cyber Security Innovation Program, we will provide:
- Technology & Tools: Including access to IBM software portfolio through the IBM Academic Initiative and donated network scanners for use in research labs to monitor intrusions.
- Course Materials: Including a Skills Taxonomy with links to appropriate online pages on Academic Initiative, examples of university programs, security and IT services curriculum, publications and trend reports, as well as case studies and real world challenges
- Faculty Awards: Given to faculty with winning proposals about how to incorporate IBM technology into its curriculum and share what they build with other universities worldwide
This is great information. Thank you Sandy. Wiley has a big stake in higher education and the focus of skills needed in the future as well. I love the direction that the IBM Academic Initiative has taken with the university faculty. I hope at some point we can be a part of it!
Thanks Sue! I was just looking at an email today from someone from Wiley!