CACI’s DeEtte Gray: US Should Step Up on Cyber, STEM Education

DeEtte Gray, president of CACI International’s U.S. operations, has urged the government to increase support for community colleges in efforts to promote cyber education and fill the workforce gap, Signal Magazine reported Thursday.

She noted more students need to inculcate an interest in STEM education and that a four-year degree is not necessarily a prerequisite for some crucial cyber-related skills.

“Getting children interested about going into cyber is something we have to start early on,” added Gray, who serves as chair of AFCEA International's board of directors.

Phillip O’Reilly, a former chief technology officer for Brocade’s federal group and general manager for Extreme Networks’ data center practice, said government partnerships and financial incentives can encourage university students to pursue cyber jobs in the public sector.

“The federal government has the opportunity to incentivize people not only to study the subject but also to go into public service—sort of like a digital Peace Corps,” he said.