Cyber Shield Initiative

Empowering the Next Generation of Cyber Heroes

Cyber Shield Initiative looks to recruit and empower new cyber talent, meeting the needs of US national security.

Cyber Shield Initiative

Cyber Shield Initiative looks to recruit and empower new cyber talent, meeting the needs of US national security.

Who We Serve?

Our purpose, as an employer-led non-profit engaged in industry and bi-partisan government circles, bolsters our cyber resilience as a nation by creating cyber heroes ready to serve.  We must train our youth, K-12, in understanding the implications of cybersecurity protection and drive the next generation to take action in their educational STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) choices, preparing these students to level up cyber safety and compliance.   We must also look to our college-age students to take the necessary certifications, internships, and registered cyber apprenticeships to fill the unmet need of 500,000 more cybersecurity workers in the US today.  Cyber Shield Initiative will also look to re-train our veterans, entry-level personnel, and even mid-career professionals in what it takes to be a cyber leader within their organizations.  

We encourage economic mobility by placing priority on diversity and inclusion in training our cyber ranks, encouraging women, minorities and immigrants to step forward for cyber education and certifications in this war on cybercrime in the US.

Hiring time for cybersecurity role

31%

From May 2023 through April 2024, there were only 85 US cybersecurity workers available for every 100 US cybersecurity jobs demanded by employers.  On average, cybersecurity roles take 21% longer to fill than other IT jobs in our nation.  (Cyberseek.org)

Projected Global Cybersecurity Job Openings (2025)

3.5 Million

Cybersecurity Ventures projects there will be 3.5 million unfilled cybersecurity positions in 2025 globally.

Cyber Attacks (Q2 2024)

30%

In Q2 2024, Check Point Research saw a 30% YoY increase in cyber attacks globally, reaching 1,636 attacks per organization per week

How We Assist Today’s Youth 

Cyber Shield Initiative works together with its partner organizations to strengthen the US cyber workforce through training, education and development.  We find the resources to make cybersecurity awareness and resilience a priority for today and tomorrow’s would-be cyber leaders.  

Key partners have developed available comprehensive tools, curricula, certifications, as well as cyber pathways, via internships and registered cyber apprenticeships for those ready to begin new career choices.  With your support, we identify funding, programs and manpower to arm our future cyber warriors to be battle-ready.

How We Assist Today’s Youth 

Cyber Shield Initiative works together with its partner organizations to strengthen the US cyber workforce through training, education and development.  We find the resources to make cybersecurity awareness and resilience a priority for today and tomorrow’s would-be cyber leaders.  

Key partners have developed available comprehensive tools, curricula, certifications, as well as cyber pathways, via internships and registered cyber apprenticeships for those ready to begin new career choices.  With your support, we identify funding, programs and manpower to arm our future cyber warriors to be battle-ready.

WHY FOCUS ON CYBER WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

We are committed to being a special force in combating cyber threats through cyber workforce development for all ages.

Five years ago there were about 300,000 unfilled US cybersecurity jobs in the United States according to the Department of Commerce. Even with additional focus on cyber talent development, that number surged to more than 500,000+, and now stands at 469,930.  Cyberseek.org, a project of CompTIA, Lightcast, and the National Initiative for Cyber Education (NICE), continually document these gaps by state, as they fluctuate by continue to show cyber job demand in industry and government.We are committed to being a special force in combatting cyber threats through cyber workforce development for all ages.

According to the White House’s “2024 Report On The Cybersecurity Posture Of The United States,” --“New cyber defense tools that integrate AI could eventually enable cyber defenders to more efficiently detect anomalous network traffic and other adversary activity, coordinate the defense of complex systems and networks, and augment a cybersecurity workforce that is already stretched thin….. However, realizing the promise of AI also challenges us to manage the risks it poses to cybersecurity.”

Cyber Shield Initiative teams and partners believe that U.S. critical infrastructure faces evolving and unacceptable cyber risks.  The time is now to recruit, train and deploy US cyber talent.

300,000

Unfilled Jobs 5 Years Ago

500,000+

Peak Unfilled Jobs

469,930

Current Unfilled Jobs

AI in Cybersecurity

According to the White House's "2024 Report On The Cybersecurity Posture Of The United States":

"New cyber defense tools that integrate AI could eventually enable cyber defenders to more efficiently detect anomalous network traffic and other adversary activity, coordinate the defense of complex systems and networks, and augment a cybersecurity workforce that is already stretched thin….. However, realizing the promise of AI also challenges us to manage the risks it poses to cybersecurity."

Current Situation

Cyber Shield Initiative teams and partners believe that U.S. critical infrastructure faces evolving and unacceptable cyber risks. The time is now to recruit, train and deploy US cyber talent.

Current Situation

Cyber Shield Initiative teams and partners believe that U.S. critical infrastructure faces evolving and unacceptable cyber risks. The time is now to recruit, train and deploy US cyber talent.