Protecting IT systems and data from cybercriminals and bad actors has become a focus of many organizations. Everyone from Target to the Democratic Party have become victims of breaches, including Equifax – a company who claims to be in the business of protecting people’s financial data, yet exposed highly sensitive information of 143 million Americans.
There is, however, a huge gap between the cybersecurity positions that businesses and government organizations want to fill and the qualified candidates available to fill them. One issue is that typically these businesses and organizations want experienced and credentialed cybersecurity professionals, and there is a reluctance to hire entry level applicants – even if they have the educational background.
Another issue is that the cybersecurity field is so dynamic that educational programs have trouble keeping their curriculum current. Even 
someone who just received a degree may not be aware of the latest trends and technologies.
One way to bridge the gap between the experience businesses are looking for and the qualified candidates seeking an opportunity is updated training and certifications through organizations such as CompTIA and sponsored internships through organizations such as the Midwest Cyber Center.
Illinois NPR recently broadcast a story discussing this issue and potential resolutions – featuring a SuprTEK Team ADEV information assurance apprentice, Weasle Forsythe. You can read the related article or stream the broadcast segment here.
Don Reed is a Senior Technical Writer and Project Support Specialist with the ADEV program. His background includes engineering and programing, project management, quality management and process improvement, and business-technical communication. Don has a B.S. in Electrical Engineering and a M.A. in Communication from Saint Louis University.