National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics

The Cybersecurity Workforce Data Initiative (CWDI), mandated by the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 and led by the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES) within the National Science Foundation (NSF), is assessing the feasibility of producing national estimates on the U.S. cybersecurity workforce. As part of this effort, CWDI is holding three workshops in 2024. Through these workshops, the public has the opportunity to provide input that will shape a possible future federal data collection on the U.S. cybersecurity workforce.

Below are details on the three upcoming workshops, along with a link to register. 

The cybersecurity workforce is characterized by a combination of knowledge, skills, and roles, with various industry leaders defining the workforce differently in different contexts. While various entities within and outside the federal government have used a range of definitions to identify cybersecurity professionals, there is no universal definition suitable for collecting nationally representative data on this workforce. Additionally, instead of a single categorization, some individuals may be core cybersecurity professionals, while others may be adjacent to the field. Please join us to hear more about how CWDI plans to define a cybersecurity professional and provide input on the proposed definition. This workshop will help inform who will be counted in potential future national statistics describing the U.S. cybersecurity workforce.

This workshop will feature a panel discussion. Panelists will include

The United States needs better data on the cybersecurity workforce. However, there is much debate about what types of information would be most useful. Understanding the professional pathways of cybersecurity workers and the skills they hold in various roles is a priority. Having a better understanding of the on-ramps and advancements in cybersecurity careers may help additional workers transition into the field. Stakeholders are also seeking data that will help them in understanding cybersecurity workforce needs from the employer perspective, better identifying what skills and qualifications U.S. employers want, and understanding how employers are currently filling those roles. Please join us to hear more about the types of data the CWDI has identified as missing and may collect in a potential federal data collection effort and provide feedback on what information is most needed.

This workshop will feature a panel discussion. Panelists will include

As the cybersecurity workforce grows quickly and job demands evolve, there is a persistent gap between experienced cybersecurity professionals and the workforce pipeline. There are several important challenges in better aligning the supply and demand of the U.S. cybersecurity workforce. First, many employers are unwilling to hire workers without relevant experience, making it challenging for those new to the field to find positions. Second, data and industry leaders note a lack of on-ramps into the profession, and the various combinations of training and experience needed to be successful in the field are not always clear to workers or hiring managers. Identifying the specific needs of U.S. companies will allow workers to get the qualifications to better fill those gaps. Third, there is a lack of diversity in the profession and this challenge needs to be addressed to strengthen the supply of workers. Lastly, the challenges of security clearances for cybersecurity jobs and the complex landscape of certificates further complicate the workforce pipeline. This workshop will help inform important concepts to include in a future cybersecurity workforce study. Please join us to hear more about these supply-demand mismatch challenges, learn about the recommendations on addressing these challenges, and provide input on the CWDI's findings on aligning the workforce.

This workshop will feature a panel discussion. Panelists will include

CWDI
NCSES-CWDI@nsf.gov