CYBER.ORG, an organization funded by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), has declared June as National Cybersecurity Education Month to raise awareness of K-12 cybersecurity education.
CYBER.ORG is a workforce development organization funded through the Cybersecurity Education and Training Assistance Program (CETAP) grant from CISA. The month-long event aims to bolster the cyber workforce by introducing K-12 students to cybersecurity careers.
“This National Cybersecurity Education Month, we hope to bring greater urgency to preparing future generations for cybersecurity careers,” Kevin Nolten, vice president of the Cyber Innovation Center, said in a press release.
“It has never been more important to provide our nation’s educators with the tools to teach K-12 in their classrooms,” Nolten added. “This new national platform helps us convene key stakeholders across industry, government, and education to take up the mantle on cybersecurity education and help solve the workforce shortage.”
With over a half-million cybersecurity positions unfilled in the United States, Federal experts and educators have said closing the gap on the shortage of cybersecurity professionals begins with cyber education efforts, especially at the K-12 level.
According to the press release, National Cybersecurity Education Month was recognized on the Senate floor by Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., and Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., with support in the House from Rep. Andrew R. Garbarino, R-N.Y., and Rep. Yvette Clarke, D-N.Y.
“As the first former computer programmer elected to the United States Senate, I’m honored to recognize June as National Cybersecurity Education Month to highlight the efforts to increase cybersecurity literacy among K-12 students,” said Sen. Rosen.
“As cyber threats have been on the rise, I have prioritized legislation to protect our students and teachers from cyber threats and equip them with the skills to be ready for the next generation of cyber jobs. Strengthening and diversifying the cybersecurity workforce is key to improving our national security,” the senator added.
CYBER.ORG held its Cyber Education Discovery Forum from June 20 to 22 in Washington D.C., bringing together K-12 educators from all 50 states dedicated to teaching cybersecurity in the classroom and exposing them to “professional development resources and a network of like-minded teachers.”
