Cal State San Bernardino hosted a webinar on April 27 that explored ways to dramatically increase the cybersecurity workforce to meet the future needs of the nation and create a protective layer of cyber deterrence.

One of the keys of the “Creating the Next Generation Cybersecurity Workforce” webinar was understanding that the future workforce requires cyber experts who come from a diverse and multidisciplinary background. It also included discussion on the recently released Cyberspace Solarium Commission report, which proposes a strategy of layered cyber deterrence consisting of more than 80 recommendations to implement the strategy.

“The entire California State University system, especially those of us here in San Bernardino, are diligently working to address the shortfall of skilled cyber professionals throughout the country,” said CSUSB President Tomás Morales in welcoming the attendees. “CSUSB is on the front line in the effort to prioritize the nation’s cyber workforce. We look forward to this chance to discuss ways to work with Congress to ensure the nation’s cyber workforce needs are being addressed.”

Nearly 150 registered for the webinar, which included lawmakers, intelligence experts, government officials, educators and business leaders in Southern California and from around the country. Among the speakers were Rep. Jim Langevin, (D-RI), chairman of the House Intelligence and Emerging Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee; and Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-CA), vice chairman, House Appropriations, and  member of the subcommittees on Defense and Homeland Security.

The webinar was originally scheduled to be a conference in Washington, D.C., but was changed to the online format because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Following the opening comments, the webinar moved into a panel session with Langevin, Tony Coulson, executive director of the CSUSB Cybersecurity Center, and Chris Inglis, former deputy director of the National Security Agency, Looker Distinguished Visiting Professor of Cyber Security Studies. Norma Krayem, vice president and chair, Cybersecurity, Privacy and Digital Information, Van Scoyoc Associates, served as moderator.

“Creating the Next Generation Cybersecurity Workforce” was originally scheduled to be a conference in Washington, D.C., but was changed to the online format because of the coronavirus pandemic. “Creating the Next Generation Cybersecurity Workforce” was originally scheduled to be a conference in Washington, D.C., but was changed to the online format because of the coronavirus pandemic. 

 

Langevin said strengthening cybersecurity is a top priority because of the significance of the nation’s potential vulnerability in technology infrastructure to cyber attacks.

Coulson, who is a professor of information and decision sciences, said there just aren’t enough people in the cybersecurity field, which has a projected gap of half a million jobs to available workers.

“We’re in trouble when it comes to the workforce,” said Coulson, who added that he was concerned that the nation could be facing a “Cyber Pearl Harbor” or “Cyber 9-11.”

 “And if that happens that would not be a surprise to a lot of us,” Coulson said.

Cyber programs are helping, but not at numbers that will address job shortages, Coulson said. As an example, the Cyber Corps program at the NSA was found to “help hundreds of students not thousands of students.”

He added that there was also an apparent competition between the public and private sectors to attract cyber students, and that both groups should work together to help expand the cyber workforce and increase cyber programs in colleges and universities.

Coulson compared it to an apple pie, but instead of having each group vie for a bigger slice of the pie, “they should make the pie bigger.”

He said the future workforce requires that cyber experts come from a diverse and multidisciplinary background. He noted that there are programs, such as GenCyber Camps, that work with the deaf and blind students as well as programs that work extensively with veterans.

Coulson said cyber programs should be expanded to other fields, which could also face cyber attacks such as business, health and the law.

Inglis, who is also a member of the U.S. Cyberspace Solarium Commission, agreed that cyber education and training should be expanded.

“We need to all be working together,” Inglis said. “We need to invest in these programs.”

Inglis said expanding training and having a cyber workforce trained in other fields was one of the best ways to deal with potential cybersecurity threats through a strategy of layered cyber deterrence, as proposed in the Cyberspace Solarium Commission report.

Congressman Langevin said that one of the good things in growing the cyber workforce is that a lot of the younger people interested or curious about cyber programs have grown up in a society where computers, software, online programs and virtual programs are a common occurrence.

“They will take to it like fish take to water – they do understand,” said Langevin. “We should take advantage of cyber programs as the earliest possibly stages.”

He said the federal government should work with schools to improve cyber education and grow cyber programs. Langevin added that cyber programs should include a pathway for high school students to pursue cyber careers and incorporate it as part of the curriculum.

“We should create a career path for those that have interest in cyber programs,” Langevin said.

California State University, San Bernardino is a leader in developing the cybersecurity workforce of tomorrow. CSUSB’s Cybersecurity Center has applied innovative approaches to creating curricula that meets the needs of the next generation of cybersecurity leaders, preparing the nation to address the exponential threat cybersecurity represents to the global economy. The university’s cybersecurity program provides cutting-edge skill sets and was one of the first colleges and universities in California to offer a baccalaureate degree in cybersecurity.

Rep. Jim Langevin has dedicated his time in Congress to a myriad of cybersecurity issues, and securing the nation’s technology infrastructure against cyber attacks, which is a top priority for the congressman.  As the co-founder and co-chairman of the bipartisan Congressional Cybersecurity Caucus, he led the way in raising awareness of cybersecurity issues in Congress and fostering dialogue and debate on the critical questions surrounding this topic. He co-chaired the Center for Strategic International Studies (CSIS) Commission on Cybersecurity for the 44th Presidency. Langevin is also a key member of the U.S. Cyberspace Solarium Commission.

The Cyberspace Solarium Commission (CSC) was established in the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 to “develop a consensus on a strategic approach to defending the United States in cyberspace against cyber attacks of significant consequences.” The finished report was presented to the public on March 11, 2020.