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Microsoft aims to cut cybersecurity workforce shortage in half by 2025

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Microsoft President Brad Smith was a witness at a House Judiciary Committee Antitrust, Commercial and Administrative Law Subcommittee hearing titled, “Reviving Competition, part 2: Saving and Diverse Press” on Capitol Hill, Washington, U.S.A, 12 March 2021.

Kevin Lemarque | Reuters

MicrosoftIn an effort to address the problem of cybersecurity workers shortages, the company is partnering with U.S. community colleges and will provide them free resources. announcedThursday

According to the company, it is able to reduce the nation’s workforce shortage in half by 2025. By then, it aims at helping to recruit and train 250,000 individuals into cybersecurity.

Brad Smith, Microsoft’s President and CEO said that “we think that we can make an important difference in solving half the cybersecurity job shortage.” He also stated that “we need to be optimistic that within the next twelve-24 months we will start making a significant dent.”

As part of this effort, the company will offer a curriculum for community colleges in the United States and provide training and support to 150 faculty members.

Smith stated that Microsoft data shows there are roughly one cybersecurity job per two. Furthermore, of all the positions available in the U.S.A., over one-in-20 is for a position that requires cybersecurity skills. Microsoft estimates that these jobs average $105,800 per annum and could include chief information security officers roles or those that require both IT and cybersecurity skills.

Smith stated that the campaign would help address the shortage of workers and will also contribute to diversifying the sector. Microsoft discovered that 82.4% cybersecurity jobs in America are held by men, and that 80% of these jobs are held primarily by white people. Microsoft has compiled data that shows 57% percent of American community college students are women. 40% of these students identify as Black or African American.

This announcement comes on the heels of Microsoft’s August cybersecurity summit at the White House with President Joe Biden, CEOs from many industries and other leaders. Microsoft said at the timeThe company would spend $20Billion over 5 years in order to develop more sophisticated security tools. It will also invest $150M to support government agencies to upgrade their security systems, expand training and improve cybersecurity partnerships.

A number of high-profile cyberattacks brought public attention to potential cybercrime risks. A cyberattack on a government contractor for software SolarWindsThe revelations of last year affected several federal agencies as well as Colonial Pipeline. caused a major gas shortageThe Southeast.

Both are private sectorAnd government officialsAs they attempt to tackle such problems, many have pointed out the persistent workforce shortage.

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WATCH: How the massive SolarWinds hack went down

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