The Department of the Army’s data, engineering, and software division and Siemens Government Technologies recently announced a joint effort to revolutionize how the public sector develops products and systems in digital engineering.

This process involves using virtual models, known as digital twins, to design, develop, and deliver products and systems that depict real-world entities.

The National Cyber Workforce and Education Strategy (NCWES) is an initiative aimed at enhancing the U.S. cybersecurity landscape. The strategy envisions a skills-based digital future where workers can access cyber jobs within their communities.

The NCWES was developed in consultation with non-governmental stakeholder groups, including private industry, academia, nonprofits, and government partners.

Its focus is on empowering Americans to pursue cyber career paths, with many jobs attainable through a certificate or community college degree, and now available in local communities.

Lightcast will provide quarterly updates on the cyber talent needs to provide a more comprehensive and up-to-date picture of the cyber labor market.

To help companies implement best practices in developing their cyber workforce, Lightcast will also develop a skills-based hiring toolkit for employers. Additionally, Lightcast is on track to reach up to 900,000 unique users on the CyberSeek website this year.

The International Information System Security Certification Consortium (ISC)² has achieved a significant milestone in its pledge to provide its new “Certified in Cybersecurity” certification to one million individuals.

Over 265,000 people have enrolled, and more than 27,000 individuals have achieved this entry-level certification in less than ten months.

Microsoft has partnered with the Last Mile Education Fund, Whatcom Community College, and the American Association of Community Colleges to help 250,000 people join the cybersecurity workforce by 2025.

To achieve this, the effort has supported over 379 community colleges in 48 states, which represents almost a third of all community colleges in the United States.

Microsoft’s efforts include $1,177,000 in scholarship support, additional voucher assistance, capacity building for faculty, training for academic/workforce professionals, and over 60 cybersecurity classes with content from curriculum partners CYBER.ORG and CodeHS planned in the upcoming 2023-24 school year.

Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS) plans to reach over 10,000 individuals and is committed to mobilizing its network to emphasize the importance of diverse and highly skilled cybersecurity professionals to support the National Cyber Workforce and Education Strategy.

CrowdStrike plans to fill over 300 internship positions, fund ten $10,000 scholarships, and expand its SkillBridge apprenticeship program. Additionally, the company will continue to offer its “return-to-work” program for caregivers by Q1 2025.

CrowdStrike is committed to making training materials and resources more widely accessible to help people upskill.

Furthermore, the company will launch its Next Generation Leaders Program during the spring academic semester, building on the program initially announced at ONCD’s roundtable on “The State of Cybersecurity in the Black Community” earlier this year.

The world’s largest enterprise software provider, SAP, will expand its Global Security Early Talent program, designed for early career professionals with a basic understanding of information technology and security topics.

In addition to upskilling two million learners worldwide with technology skills by the end of 2025, this shows the company’s commitment to helping close the cybersecurity skills gap.

ConSol USA has developed a demand-led “ecosystem of ecosystems” model that engages underutilized talent in underserved communities, such as non-degreed individuals, veterans, women, and people of color, in alignment with the National Cyber Workforce and Education Strategy.

The company has executed initial agreements and is negotiating with other organizations, including academic stakeholders such as the University of Texas at San Antonio, George Washington University, and the University of California at Davis. ConSol USA is also working with USAA to reach military personnel, veterans, and their families.

The company aims to hire and deploy at least 11,000 cyber technologists nationally by 2027.

Accenture is a global professional services company committed to breaking down traditional barriers to employment and creating more pathways into cybersecurity roles.

In partnership with Immersive Labs, Accenture aims to fill one million entry-level jobs over the next decade by providing a free, robust cybersecurity platform that trains participants and engages them in reality-based exercises to prove their skills, thereby unlocking job opportunities with hiring organizations within the forum.

Accenture recognizes the importance of all people having cyber skills, regardless of their roles, and will provide cybersecurity training to more than 700,000 employees next year.

The company has already achieved its goal of filling 20% of entry-level positions from its apprenticeship program and is on track to achieve a gender-balanced workforce by 2025.