Oregon State University landed a $4.8 million federal grant that will fund a pair of programs aimed at boosting the number of cybersecurity professionals in the workforce.
The grant from the National Science Foundation and its CyberCorps: Scholarship for Service program. It will fund scholarships for up to 29 students in both undergraduate and graduate study and a program within the College of Engineering that will see students providing cybersecurity services to organizations across the Pacific Northwest.
Here in Oregon, there is an acute need for qualified cybersecurity professionals with an estimated 7,500 open roles within the state. Nationwide, there are more than 750,000 open cybersecurity jobs. The shortage of cybersecurity workers has been ongoing for several years.
“We’re facing a massive shortage of qualified cybersecurity professionals across the nation,” said Rakesh Bobba, an associate professor at OSU and project lead in a written statement. “This program is great for organizations who struggle to fill their positions and is a tremendous way to attract students into a highly desirable field that provides well-paying and satisfying careers.”
The scholarship will cover up to three academic years and offers a living expenses stipend. Students who receive the scholarship agree to take a cybersecurity role with the federal government equal to the number of years they were on the scholarship.
The second element the grant will fund is called CyberClinic. It’s a new program in the College of Engineering that where students will rotate through working in cybersecurity for different Pacific Northwest organizations. The program is modeled on the clinical rotations that students at OSU’s Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine go through to gain real world experience.
The CyberClinic, which is open to any cybersecurity student who fulfills prerequisites, will be directed by assistant professor of practice Dave Nevin. Participating students will work with organizations that might not otherwise be able to access such talent. Students will be guided by professionals through the rotation.
“Our students are incredible and very knowledgeable in the field, but most cybersecurity job openings require experience, and this is a way for them to get experience in a structured environment,” Nevin said.
