"Over the past few years, we worked to address the cyber workforce challenge through the CyberSkills2Work Program, which prepared over 3,300 learners for cybersecurity careers," said Dr. Eman El-Sheikh, associate vice president for the Center for Cybersecurity. "We are honored to lead the National Cybersecurity Workforce Development Task Force and strengthen our nation's cybersecurity workforce. We look forward to working with the NCAE-C Program and workforce coalitions to develop a unified national program and expand career readiness and employability across the country."

The task force includes NCAE-C workforce development programs and coalitions led by UWF, University of Louisville, Purdue University Northwest, Rochester Institute of Technology, and University of California, Davis. UWF will work with the NCAE-C Program and task force to develop a unified National Cybersecurity Workforce Development model and program based on best practices, industry input, employable competencies, and stackable credentials. The program will include approximately 50 NCAE-C designated institutions across the country and provide education and professional development to individuals nationwide to help them launch or advance cybersecurity careers.

The task force will address the nation's evolving workforce needs by engaging more NCAE-C designated institutions to offer workforce development programs, developing training pathways for all cyber-related work roles, opening the program up to diverse learners, and expanding employer connections and employment opportunities for learners.

For more information about the UWF Center for Cybersecurity, visit uwf.edu/cyber.

For more information about the CyberSkills2Work program, visit cyberskills2work.org.