Cybersecurity short on skilled workers
developing more workers who are skilled in technology. We can draw on the example of Virginia, which moved to meet the rising demand for a cybersecurity workforce. Nearly 50 of Virginia’s colleges and universities established cyber degrees and degrees with a cyber focus. Virginia is also home to 23 NSA/DHS Centres of Academic Excellence (CAE) in cybersecurity.
Technology jobs range from entry level to very highly skilled across IT software, networks, cybersecurity, data management and tech support now accelerated by the digitisation of our economies in the COVID-19 pandemic. While we focus on training and development of future workers, we should not forget those already in the workforce and provide opportunities for them to upgrade their skills and education.
In 2014 Caricom agreed to establish a Single Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Space, followed by the
2017 approval by the Heads of Government of the Vision and Roadmap for the Caricom Single
ICT space. The overarching objective of the Single ICT Space is to provide the digital layer to underpin the Caribbean Single Market Economy. The most significant outcomes resulting from a Caricom Single ICT Space are ubiquity and consistency of ICT services across the region at affordable prices to citizens. COVID-19 has forced a speeding up of the key objectives which are very relevant to consumers, businesses and governments.
Responses to the pandemic’s impact highlighted the urgent need for equitable, affordable access to broadband information and communication technologies, which are secure, ubiquitous and reliable in addition to being able to facilitate the rapid acquisition, processing and dissemination of information. The heightened use of online facilities and the gathering of information and knowledge requires the ability to analyse and disseminate it effectively for citizens’ social and economic progress, a goal of the Caricom thrust.
All of this ICT activity requires a whole new set of workers at every level of the technology chain, trained to ensure cybersecurity. Safety is at the heart of executing the mandate, which translates into real jobs and tremendous opportunities to build Caricom’s digital economies by enhancing trade, innovation, competitiveness and citizen welfare.