Jane Edwards
DeEtte Gray, an executive at BAE Systems’ U.S. arm, has said industry, government, academia and organizations should collaborate to make investments in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and cyber education initiatives in an effort to develop a pipeline of cyber professionals.
Gray, president of the intelligence and security sector at BAE Systems Inc., made the remarks during her keynote speech Wednesday at the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education-hosted 2016 Conference and Expo in Kansas City, Missouri.
She said public-private partnerships could help address “knowledge gaps” and that industry should invest in programs that seek to provide incentives to college students to pursue a career in cybersecurity.
“We need cyber training that adapts to security threats – as fast as our adversaries invent new methods of attack,†Gray told conference attendees.
“And, we need agile cyber education initiatives that are capable of educating students about the impact cyber attacks pose worldwide,†she added.
Gray also noted that BAE has introduced career development programs in a push to promote continuous learning among employees and build up the defense contractor’s cybersecurity workforce.
These programs include the Intelligence & Security University, and the Lead, Engage, Apply and Perform or LEAP program.
I&S U is a skills and career development training program that aims to provide certification training and technical courses to BAE employees, while the LEAP initiative is an internship program that provides training, mentors, career path discussions and networking opportunities to participants, Gray said.
