ANNAPOLIS, MD—A new report highlights the urgent need for a robust cybersecurity workforce in Maryland, with over 6,500 open positions in the state and Washington, D.C. between December 2023 and January 2024. This demand is projected to grow by nearly 40% over the next decade, according to the “Maryland’s Cybersecurity Talent Strategy” report (PDF), released by the Cyber Maryland Program and the Governor’s Workforce Development Board. Created in collaboration with the Governor’s Workforce Development Board, the report follows a recent study exploring Maryland’s cybersecurity workforce pipeline.
The report outlines a plan to address this growing demand by prioritizing economic growth, diversification, and resilience through the Cyber Maryland program. Strategies include expanding the catalog of registered apprenticeships and integrating more cyber literacy into K-12 classes.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore has emphasized the importance of cybersecurity to the state’s economic growth, highlighting it as a key underpinning for the aerospace, technology, and life sciences sectors. Cybersecurity is the foundation; Maryland’s leadership in cybersecurity is critical to securing jobs, innovation, and national security.
Portia Wu, Maryland’s Secretary of Labor, urges action for continued leadership. “We have thousands of high-paying jobs waiting for skilled workers.”
The state’s strategic approach aims to leverage its existing advantages, including a concentration of federal cybersecurity agencies like the NSA, CISA, and U.S. Cyber Command, a thriving private sector, and world-class academic institutions.
“Maryland is at a pivotal moment,” said Troy LeMaile-Stovall, CEO of TEDCO, Maryland’s economic engine for technology companies. “The talent is here, the resources are here and now we have the strategy to match.”
The report emphasizes the need for immediate action to secure Maryland’s position as a national leader in cybersecurity, while acknowledging competition from neighboring states also investing heavily in workforce development.
Delali Dzirasa, CEO of Fearless and vice-chair of the Governor’s Workforce Development Board, stressed the importance of the strategy, stating, “This plan not only strengthens our cyber ecosystem but also creates real opportunities for individuals looking to enter and grow in this field.”
This article was written with the assistance of AI and reviewed by a human editor.
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