With an estimated $6 trillion in damages in 2021, cyber threats continue to rise around the world. During this unprecedented time, organizations also face a massive cybersecurity talent shortage. With an estimated 2.7 million unfilled cybersecurity positions, global security teams struggle to hire enough talent to monitor and remediate cyberattacks or develop new technology to combat today’s latest threats.
Solving this cybersecurity talent shortage will take a collective industry-wide effort. That’s why iboss is proud to stand alongside some of our industry partners and peers to raise $1 million to help fund one year of community college courses for Bay Area students pursuing careers in cybersecurity. Driven to make a difference in the lives of students and the local community, we have already raised more than $300,000 toward this goal and call on the industry during the RSA Conference to join us in making a meaningful impact – together.
The Coalition to Close the Cybersecurity Talent Gap campaign is led by iboss partner NightDragon, an investment and advisory firm focused on the cybersecurity, safety, security, and privacy industries, and NexGen Cyber Talent, a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing diversity and inclusion in the cybersecurity industry through education and career opportunities for underserved and underrepresented students.
Additionally, the campaign includes more than 25 industry-leading cybersecurity and technology leaders, including AllegisCyber Capital, Carahsoft, Claroty, Coalfire, Cyderes, Deloitte, Exclusive Networks, ForgeRock, HUMAN Security, iboss, Immuta, Ingram Micro, Interos, Knight Group, Macnica Networks, Marsh, Merlin, Mezmo, NightDragon, Onapsis, Optiv, Palo Alto Networks, Prosek, Team8, Ten Eleven Ventures, ThriveDX, SafeGuard Cyber, Snowflake, and vArmour.
“We are thrilled to join this effort with NightDragon, NextGen Cyber Talent and fellow industry-leading organizations,” states iboss CEO and Co-Founder Paul Martini. “The cybersecurity job market is experiencing a critical shortage of talent, and iboss is proud to contribute to the education efforts of tomorrow’s security leaders and experts.”
NexGen Cyber Talent partners with Bay Area community colleges to offer several cohorts of training programs, continuous career development and mentoring, and grants to hundreds of students pursuing cybersecurity education. The funds raised through this campaign will be distributed by NextGen Cyber Talent to students at participating Bay Area community colleges who have applied and met the qualifying grade criteria of a B- or better.
In addition to capital, founding coalition partners have also contributed additional in-kind donations, including lectures, curriculum materials, and internships for students. Solving the cybersecurity talent shortage will take a collective industry-wide effort. We are honored to stand together with our partners on this important mission and hope the rest of the industry joins us on this important cause.
Donations of any size can be made through the Coalition to Close the Cybersecurity Talent Gap campaign donations page.
