America is fighting a war on an invisible front, and we need skilled and motivated professionals to protect us.
Experts predict that global cybercrime damages will reach $6 trillion in 2021, nearly double the amount from 2015.
October was Cybersecurity Awareness Month, but it is still a great time now to educate employees about the dangers of cyber-attacks, and to spotlight the growing field of cybersecurity.
Whether perpetrated by cybercriminals, activist groups, or state-sponsored hackers, cyber-attacks have the potential to disrupt private and public organizations, including banks, healthcare systems, local governments, and vital infrastructure.
As Southeast Regional Director of Western Governors University, I’ve observed that more than 30% of students currently pursuing bachelor’s or master’s degrees in cybersecurity and information assurance with our College of Information Technology are affiliated with the military community.
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Cybersecurity is a great career choice for military veterans.
The following are five reasons why:
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For veterans with limited technology experience, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offers the Veteran Employment Through Technology Education Courses (VET TEC) program that matches them with a leading training provider to help them develop high-tech skills.
There are myriad scholarship and grant programs to help veterans pay for their education.
As a veteran of the United States Army, I was a beneficiary of the G.I. Bill and used it to earn a master’s degree from Western Carolina University and a doctorate from North Carolina State.
For those transitioning out of the military, or for veterans who are years removed from their service but considering a career change, the cybersecurity field offers a rewarding opportunity for purpose-driven job satisfaction and the ability to counter threats from both home and abroad.
Ben Coulter, Ed.D., is Southeast Regional Director for online, nonprofit Western Governors University. Prior to his career in higher education, he was a U.S. Army Officer in the field of Counterintelligence
