Today cyber security is one of the most important fields in technology and a serious issue for individuals, business leaders, Chief Information Officers (CIOs) and CISOs, and society as a whole. With every new digital device, connected car and mobile wallet, the risks are increasing and the need for cyber security professionals is now greater than ever.
Today cyber security is one of the most important fields in technology and a serious issue for individuals, business leaders, Chief Information Officers (CIOs) and CISOs, and society as a whole. With every new digital device, connected car and mobile wallet, the risks are increasing and the need for cyber security professionals is now greater than ever. Yet, there is a significant shortage of qualified candidates prepared to fill these roles—an estimated 500,000 to 1 million jobs remain unfilled in the U.S. alone[1]. This gap is expected to grow to a staggering 1.5 million by 2020[2].
As this talent gap continues to widen, there is a vibrant community of underrepresented young adults—including people of color, women, and veterans—that could fill at least 60,000 of these positions if properly trained.
Two years ago Symantec launched one of the company’s largest and most exciting corporate responsibility programs to date, the Symantec Cyber Career Connection (SC3). SC3 addresses the global cybersecurity workforce gap by training and certifying young adults and veterans in cybersecurity and assisting them in landing meaningful internships and jobs.
The first-of-its-kind program was developed to help us meet our goal to engage 1 million students in STEM by 2020 and strengthen the fabric of our industry by recruiting and retaining a qualified, diverse pool of candidates to lead the future of our $75 billion a year industry and fill a projected six million jobs in 2019.
Over the past two years we have worked with our partners NPower, YearUp, Per Scholas and The Stride Center to launch and refine a successful model, and are now working to expand and grow our reach. Below we feature a video outlining the SC3 program including interviews with current SC3 students and graduates discussing how the program is making a lasting impact on the lives of students and our industry.
Additionally, as part of the program, SC3 students have completed cyber internships at Symantec as well as other leading companies including Marathon Consulting, KPMG, Bank of America, CBS, Citi, Morgan Stanley, New York Times, Condé Nast and TD Ameritrade.
"We are optimistic about the results we are seeing and look forward to expanding our program, increasing our reach and growing a pipeline of diverse, qualified professionals ready to strengthen our industry and help solve today’s complex cybersecurity challenges," said Cecily Joseph, VP, Corporate Responsibility & Chief Diversity Officer for Symantec.
For more information on Symantec’s SC3 program, how to host an intern, hire a cyber security professional, or to be a part of the program, please visit www.go.symantec.com/cyber-career-connection
Published Oct 4, 2016 12pm EDT / 9am PDT / 5pm BST / 6pm CEST
Sustainable Brands Staff