CynergisTek endorses educational programs for a future workforce of cybersecurity professionals
CynergisTek, a leader in healthcare cybersecurity, privacy, and compliance, announced its support for two innovative programs that provide cybersecurity education and training to help groom a future workforce of cybersecurity professionals.
Programs of this nature provide the resources needed to address the future shortage of well-trained and educated professionals interested in this field.
Currently, there is a critical shortage of cybersecurity expertise and it is expected to grow to 1.8 million unfilled cybersecurity positions globally by 2022. At the same time, there are not enough individuals seeking degrees or careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) and cybersecurity to keep up with growing demand.
The Air Force Association is determined to change that through its CyberPatriot Program which works with K-12 students to inspire them to pursue careers in cybersecurity and other STEM disciplines.
As part of the program, the organization holds an annual National Youth Cyber Defense Competition where students are put in charge of securing virtual networks. An amazing 88% of CyberPatriot participants have matriculated into STEM degree programs in college. CynergisTek is proud to be a CyberPartner of the CyberPatriot Program.
Additionally, CynergisTek also announced that it endorses the Leadership in Healthcare Privacy and Security Risk Management Professional Certificate Program offered through The University of Texas at Austin, McCombs School of Business.
This is a unique certificate program that is designed to help close the gap of cybersecurity workforce shortages by educating a variety of students and working professionals in other fields who are looking for a career path in healthcare.
To further support the program, CynergisTek executives, Mac McMillan and Clyde Hewitt, were heavily involved in the development of the curriculum and will provide some presentations and lectures for the inaugural program, including an overview of healthcare cybersecurity, third-party risk management, medical device management, and more.
“It’s been said that cybersecurity is the key issue of our time, and cybercrime the biggest risk to businesses. There can’t be a more important educational priority than teaching the next generation, who will most certainly have a smart device for virtually everything they do, about cybersecurity,” said Mac McMillan, CEO of CynergisTek.
“Programs like The University of Texas at Austin course and the CyberPatriot Program that focus on teaching cybersecurity and creating a more intelligent workforce for the future are where it’s at.
“If we ever hope to overcome the shortage of cybersecurity talent, we will need more programs like these. I’m convinced that education is the key and I’m proud of what we do here at CynergisTek to support these initiatives.”