NIST Allocates $3.6 Million for Community-Based Cybersecurity Workforce

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is taking proactive measures to strengthen the nation’s cybersecurity workforce by awarding cooperative agreements totaling nearly $3.6 million. These grants, approximately $200,000 each, will be disbursed to 18 education and community organizations across 15 states. The aim is to combat the critical shortage of skilled cybersecurity professionals essential for safeguarding enterprises against evolving cyber threats.

Overseen by NICE (National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education), a partnership spearheaded by NIST encompassing government, academia, and the private sector, these cooperative agreements mark a pivotal step towards enhancing cybersecurity education, training, and workforce development.

Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology and NIST Director Laurie E. Locascio emphasized the significance of investing in the cybersecurity workforce, stressing its vital role in fortifying both economic and national security. Locascio noted, “By investing in our cybersecurity workforce, we are not just filling a critical gap. We are creating a future where Americans have access to the training they need to secure high-quality, good-paying jobs.”

Addressing the Cyber Skills Gap

According to insights gleaned from the NICE-funded CyberSeek tool, which scrutinizes data pertaining to the cybersecurity job market, the United States encountered nearly 450,000 cybersecurity job openings between January 2023 and January 2024. However, the available workforce fell short, with only 82 workers available for every 100 job openings during this period.

The awarded organizations will spearhead Regional Alliances and Multistakeholder Partnerships to Stimulate (RAMPS) initiatives, facilitating cybersecurity education and workforce development. These RAMPS projects will align with the NICE Workforce Framework for Cybersecurity, harmonizing the workforce needs of local businesses and nonprofit organizations with national cybersecurity objectives.

NIST is currently soliciting applications for an additional 15 RAMPS awards, each offering up to $200,000. Interested parties can submit their applications by Friday, May 24, 2024, with further details available on the NIST website.

Rodney Petersen, Director of NICE, emphasized the inclusivity of the RAMPS program in fostering cybersecurity careers for individuals from diverse backgrounds. He underscored its role in bolstering local economies by addressing the workforce needs of businesses and providing pathways to lucrative cybersecurity professions.

From curriculum development and educational initiatives to work-based learning experiences and skills enhancement programs, the RAMPS projects epitomize a multifaceted approach to nurturing cybersecurity talent and fortifying national cyber resilience.