SAIC Addresses High Demand for Next Generation of Cybersecurity Professionals

Leading The Way With Comprehensive Cyber Vision

Cyber technologies underpin or enhance nearly every daily activity we perform, from sending email to driving, banking, shopping, and many other areas. National Cybersecurity Month is an opportunity to focus on how best to protect vital cyber capabilities today and in the future. Our cyber experts will discuss SAIC's cyber research and capabilities for fields as diverse as IT and healthcare at a broad range of conferences and symposia throughout October.

The cybersecurity industry faces a critical shortage of workers with a surplus of evolving career opportunities, education and training. The cyber demands of government, academia, and industry far exceed the supply of resources from higher education. To help increase the nation's supply of cyber- and engineering-savvy future leaders, Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) has invested in a diverse portfolio of outreach; science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) activities; established industry relationships; advanced workforce training and development; and a robust internship program. At SAIC, highly qualified professionals provide cybersecurity solutions in the marketplace every day to support mission-critical operations.

The Landscape of the Cybersecurity Field

With an estimated growth projection rate of 41 percent over the next eight years for the cybersecurity field, SAIC is recruiting for the next generation of cyber professionals to protect our nation against increasingly sophisticated threats to government and commercial enterprises and working with industry partners to build the talent pipeline for the rising demand, particularly along the I-95 corridor in Maryland, known as the national epicenter of cybersecurity activities for federal and commercial enterprises.

Cybersecurity is a field that intersects with industry, and professionals with a background in software development, reverse engineering, network security, and intelligence analysis are in high demand. While the information technology skills needed for cyber vary, the industry reflects a range of occupations such as cyber threat analyst, malware analyst, network administrator, systems engineer, intelligence analyst, and software engineer. Anyone interested in learning more about occupations and careers in cybersecurity can visit cyber security jobs at SAIC.

Staying Skilled and Innovative with Shifts in Cyber

The dynamic nature of cyber threats, trends, and technology requires the most advanced training for highly skilled professionals. SAIC helps professionals stay skilled and sharp through its CyberNEXS cyber training program that builds and exercises skills in secure configuration, intrusion detection, incident mitigation, penetration testing, and forensics through onsite or remote training against live, real-world cyber threats in a customizable environment.

Through cybergamut, a community of practice SAIC sustains, industry, academic, and government professionals work on cyber challenges. In addition, over 1,500 cyber professionals from more than 300 organizations worldwide come together to share ongoing professional development opportunities and engage in Technical Tuesday presentations. Technical Tuesdays enable the exchange of ideas on technical issues of mutual interest, such as case studies in cyber attacks and modern forensic investigative techniques. SAIC builds its own cybersecurity experts with the necessary knowledge and credentials through SAIC University and cohorts of onsite masters programs in technical fields in the greatest demand, such as system engineering and business management, at office locations in McLean, Va., and Columbia, Md.

Preparing Future Workers in Cyber

The company's robust internship program also enables students in concentrations such as computer science and electrical engineering to work alongside cyber experts and gain hands-on integration experience into current mission programs, research initiatives, and development projects. Every summer SAIC hosts over 60 interns who gain cyber experience and even security clearances.

The training track for anyone interested in a career in cybersecurity has also been laid out through the support of The Pathways to Cybersecurity Careers Consortium in Maryland, which helps Marylanders gain cyber skills necessary to prepare for industry-recognized cybersecurity certifications and helps businesses maintain a competitive edge while improving their resilience to cyber threats. Awarded nearly $5 million over three years from the 2010 U.S. Department of Labor Community-Based Job Training grant, the consortium of workforce, industry, government and academic partners, including Anne Arundel Community College, Carroll Community College, and Howard Community College, work diligently to build the talent pipeline through training and education.

Building the Future of Cyber Together

One of the greatest demonstrations of shared cyber responsibility will take place Oct. 16-17 in Baltimore, Md. during the CyberMaryland 2012 Conference. During the two-day event, anyone interested in advancing, studying, or working in the field of cybersecurity will have the opportunity to network with top employers, engage with industry-leading speakers, and learn about advances in cybersecurity that cross all industries and interests. The event also features a one-of-a-kind cybersecurity competition featuring the state's best high school, college, and professional talent. The National Security Agency will award $84,000 in scholarships to student winners of the cyber challenge competition to encourage young students to pursue STEM degrees. MDC3 will bring together the best cybersecurity minds in Maryland to help build the talent pipeline and promote the cybersecurity industry, career opportunities, education, and training.