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Training Initiative Targets Cybersecurity Skills Gap

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Three organizations are coming together to expand access to cybersecurity training resources while looking to close the cybersecurity skills gap.

The partnership includes ThreatX, an API and application security provider, Cyversity, which focuses on training under-represented minorities for the security industry, and the Institute for Critical Infrastructure Technology (ICIT), a cybersecurity think tank.

Free Online Training

As part of the initiative, ThreatX is providing nearly 150 hours of online cybersecurity training at no cost via the ThreatX Academy, launched in November 2022. The courses provide an opportunity for those looking to begin or advance, their cybersecurity careers, the partners said. Courses cover a broad range of topics, including application security, networking, access control and data security.

Filling the Cyber Skills Gap

The security community as a whole is trying to provide more qualified workers to address a cybersecurity workforce gap of 3.4 million people. Accordingly, it critical that potential candidates from all walks of life have access to resources and training, the newly formed training collaboration said.

Offering classes at no cost is one way to help shrink this gap. As Gene Fay, ThreatX chief executive, explained:

“Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to have had the opportunity to learn from many great leaders in cybersecurity. I am thrilled for ThreatX to partner with Cyversity and ICIT and bring more cybersecurity training programs to those pursuing careers in the industry.”

Beverly Benson, Cyversity executive director, added:

"We are grateful for the support and partnership of ThreatX in fulfilling Cyversity's mission to provide individuals from underserved communities with access to cybersecurity training and mentorship. This training will provide our members with the knowledge needed to enter into the workforce and gain a jump start in their cybersecurity careers, increasing their chances of success.”

Tackling the "Great Cyber Divide"

Cyversity was created as a 501(c)3 non-profit association dedicated to the academic and professional success of minority cybersecurity students and professionals. Cyversity tackles the "great cyber divide" with scholarship opportunities, diverse workforce development, innovative outreach, and mentoring programs.

ICIT is a leading cybersecurity think tank providing objective, nonpartisan research, advisory, and education to legislative, commercial, and public-sector cybersecurity stakeholders. ICIT’s mission is to cultivate a cybersecurity renaissance that will improve the resiliency of the United States' 16 critical infrastructure sectors, defend our democratic institutions, and empower generations of cybersecurity leaders.

Commenting on the partnership, Parham Eftekhari, founder and chairman of ICIT, said:

“We are honored to join forces with ThreatX to leverage their unique and highly complementary training platform to strengthen the cybersecurity workforce and help cultivate the next generation of cybersecurity leaders, a key pillar of ICIT’s mission.”

D. Howard Kass

D. Howard Kass is a contributing editor to MSSP Alert. He brings a career in journalism and market research to the role. He has served as CRN News Editor, Dataquest Channel Analyst, and West Coast Senior Contributing Editor at Channelnomics. As the CEO of The Viewpoint Group, he led groundbreaking market research.