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October 25, 2024

This week in San Bernardino, California, Deputy National Cyber Director (DNCD) Harry Wingo, Jr. highlighted investments from the Biden-Harris Administration that are opening up opportunities and providing good-paying cyber jobs.   He visited the California State University at San Bernardino (CSUSB) to take part in its Cyber Ecosystems Leadership Forum, which also included a keynote from U.S. Representative Pete Aguilar (D-CA-33). The event showcased the efforts of Inland Empire public educators, companies, and Federal, state, and local Governments, which have come together to build a world-class cyber workforce.

During his keynote, DNCD Wingo shared how the Biden-Harris Administration’s National Cyber Workforce and Education Strategy, released last July, connecting Californians to good-paying cyber jobs. He discussed the opportunity to strengthen national security, economic prosperity, and technological innovation by building the Nation’s cyber workforce. He also highlighted best practices in the region, including strong partnerships between schools, training institutions, and employers.

Throughout the day, DNCD Wingo observed how CSUSB’s focus on work-based, hands-on learning opportunities positions students for success in the workforce. He also met with students, who shared their experiences at CSUSB and explained their excitement about launching their careers in cyber.

CSUSB is a Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (CAE-C). Institutions that receive a CAE-C designation have met the rigorous requirements set forth by the National Security Agency (NSA), which sponsors the program. The NSA awards CAE-C designations to institutions that commit to producing cybersecurity professionals who will reduce vulnerabilities in our national infrastructure. CSUSB is also the home of the CAE Community National Center, which provides technical and logistical support for CAE events, activities, and curriculum; maintains a portal of CAE resources for the community, geographic regions, and the Nation; and facilitates strategic initiatives in research, student and faculty development, diversity, and other workforce development activities.

There is a strong demand for cyber talent across in the country. In California, there are currently 39,223 open cyber positions throughout the state, including 1,392 open cyber positions in the San Bernardino area alone.

“We need to lower barriers and broaden pathways into our field,” said Deputy National Cyber Director Harry Wingo. “We need to ensure that more people can see themselves in cyber. We need to let them know that a job in cybersecurity – whether it’s in the Federal Government or not – is helping serve the Nation and keep Americans safe. And that’s why the work you’re doing here, preparing the future cyber workers of America, is vital. You are ensuring that Cal State, San Bernardino students understand the risks, opportunities, and complexities of cybersecurity, which will serve them well independent of their specific career paths.”

DNCD Wingo also emphasized the necessity of extending the momentum of National Hispanic Heritage Month by continuing to ensure that members of the Hispanic community have the access and tools they need to join America’s cyber workforce.  

As part of this visit, DNCD Wingo was pleased to announce the following initiatives and resources that will deliver new learning opportunities to students and jobseekers across California’s Inland Empire and the Nation:

  • The New Experience Cyber Range is providing free skills-based assessments for students in both the National Institute of Standards and Technology NICE Workforce Framework for Cybersecurity and Department of Defense Cyber Workforce Framework. TRY CYBER is providing 15-minute hands-on micro-challenges for those who are curious to learn more about what their role in cyber could be.
  • The CSUSB Center for Cyber and AI is establishing the Cyber Workforce Tech Hub, which will work on expanding technology workforce options in the Inland Empire, including AI, Security Operations, and Space Technology, as well as providing access to state of the art next-generation broadband, providing unparalleled tech training and infrastructure. The new Tech Hub received Federal grant funding and will feature a Security Operations Center to help protect the region and educational institutions in cyber risk identification and mitigation, as well as provide critical job training for hundreds of future students, while protecting thousands of people.
  • The CAE Community, led by CSUSB, is a launching a new system called the Cybersecurity Career Explorer. Through this system, the public can identify CAE institutions near them and see Federal cyber-related jobs in the nearby area. This new mapping tool will serve potentially millions of prospective cyber students, leading them to 485 higher educational institutions and thousands of Federal job opportunities. Cal State, San Bernardino and the Navy are launching a new cyber research and education agreement, which will provide critical skills, workforce, and research for the U.S. Naval Surface Warfare Port Hueneme Division.

The Biden-Harris Administration has made bold and historic investments throughout the country, including in California, by prioritizing grants, loans, and other Federal Government funding mechanisms for State, local, tribal, and territorial Governments to protect our Nation’s infrastructure. The Administration’s Investing for America agenda is delivering significant funding to California to build digital infrastructure and connect more Americans to affordable, reliable internet, including:

  • Over $1.8 billion to build high-speed Internet infrastructure, teach skills, and provide equipment so everyone can use the Internet
  • Over $148 million to help fund the construction, improvement, or acquisition of facilities and equipment needed to provide high-speed Internet service in rural areas
  • Over $94 million to reduce the cost of bringing high-speed Internet service to unserved and underserved communities by connecting local networks to major networks
  • Over $74 million to promote digital inclusion and ensure that all communities have access to and are able to use affordable, reliable high-speed Internet
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