At Hinds Community College, National Cyber Director Harry Coker shared a powerful vision for building America’s cybersecurity workforce. Coker’s remarks showcased national strategy, local progress, and the essential partnerships driving the field forward.
“Cyber is about people. It doesn’t matter what your area code is. What matters is if you have the passion, discipline, and commitment to the cause, there is a place for you in the cyber workforce,” Coker emphasized.
A Growing Cyber Workforce in Mississippi
Coker acknowledged Mississippi’s contributions to cybersecurity, spotlighting local institutions. Hinds, the first school in the state to earn the prestigious National Security Agency Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) designation, earned specific praise. “That status is not easy to obtain nor maintain. It’s the gold standard for cyber education, so it’s a big deal, and Mississippi should be proud of Hinds Community College,” Coker stated.
At Jackson State, a $2 million Energy grant recently funded a Critical Power Grid Network Security Lab, a vital step in training students to safeguard critical infrastructure. Meanwhile, Tougaloo College’s new Cybersecurity Clinic exemplifies hands-on learning. Students gain real-world experience while protecting small businesses and local organizations.
These efforts align closely with the White House’s National Cyber Workforce and Education Strategy (NCWES), released in July 2023. Coker called the strategy a “foundational document” focused on expanding pathways into cybersecurity careers while addressing the estimated 500,000 unfilled cyber jobs nationwide.
Driving Skills-Based Hiring
In a standout moment, Coker highlighted new commitments from industry leaders, including ClearanceJobs. He acknowledged the platform’s role in promoting skills-based hiring, stating, “ClearanceJobs will encourage skills-based hiring by providing new resources to both candidates and hiring managers for how to apply and hire for skills-based roles.”
This initiative complements the NCWES’s mission to break down traditional barriers to entry, ensuring that cyber jobs are accessible to diverse talent pools across the country. ClearanceJobs’ efforts, led by President Evan Lesser, were celebrated as a pivotal step in connecting skilled workers with meaningful opportunities.
Local Talent, National Impact
Coker’s speech underscored the value of local ecosystems in solving national challenges. “The communities who have truly come together – where schools and employers are closely connected, where students acquire skills through valuable internships and apprenticeships, where local governments build bridges – these are the communities that are thriving and building the Nation’s cyber workforce,” he noted.
Mississippi, once considered an “untapped talent pool,” now serves as a model of collaboration and innovation. Investments like the $1.2 billion from the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, along with HBCUs’ expanding NSA designations, are laying the groundwork for sustainable progress.
Cybersecurity: A Collaborative Mission
Throughout his address, Coker emphasized that the federal government cannot tackle workforce challenges alone. He praised partnerships across academia, industry, and non-profits, highlighting efforts by IBM, Cisco, and the National Cybersecurity Alliance to support HBCUs and create pathways into the cyber workforce.
“Collaboration and partnership are critical to our success,” Coker said. “And we’ve been seeing time and time again, partners step up and join our efforts.”
Coker issued a call to action for communities across the U.S. to emulate Mississippi’s successes. His newly announced Cyber Workforce and Education Ecosystem Toolkit aims to provide actionable resources for regions looking to replicate best practices.
