Raytheon’s David Wajsgras: Early Tech Educational Programs Key to Build Up Cybersecurity Workforce

David Wajsgras, president of the intelligence, information and services segment at Raytheon, has charted ways to foster a cybersecurity workforce in an effort to help maintain global security and economic stability.

Wajsgras wrote in an opinion piece published Wednesday on U.S. News that he believes global security will rely on efforts to draw interest in science, technology, engineering and math careers from the youth as global cyber threats increase in sophistication.

Raytheon and U.S. News & World Report magazine released a report in May that indicated a 28-percent rise in STEM jobs since 2000 compared to a 6-percent increase in STEM graduates in 2015.

In order to help build up a cybersecurity workforce, Wajsgras recommends that educational systems “encourage early exposure to technology and cybersecurity careers” through resources and technology equipment in classrooms.

“We also must ensure good social governance for our educators and parents as cybersecurity and STEM topics are introduced to students,” Wajsgras said.

“Finally, we need to ensure proper resourcing for development of the cyber workforce.”