CompTIA Presents 2017 Excellence in Cybersecurity Awards As New Survey Finds 83% of IT Professionals Spending More Time on Cyber Than Just Two Years Ago

CompTIA Excellence in Cybersecurity CompTIA today announced its 2017 CompTIA Excellence in Cybersecurity Awards to Rep. Jim Langevin (D-RI), Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD) and Lisa Dorr, Director of Planning and Strength IT Work, Office of the Chief Information Officer, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

The CompTIA Awards for Excellence in Cyber Security recognize members of Congress and program managers of federal agencies who are making significant advances in the use of the federal resources wisely to improve the cyber security skills of those who work for Government of the United States.

The awards come at a time when cybersecurity occupies far more resources than ever before, according to a new survey of information technology (IT) professionals in the United States. More than 80 percent of IT professionals say cybersecurity is consuming more of their time than just one or two years ago; And 87 percent predict that the cyber threat landscape will only worsen.

"With our nation's workforce facing a serious cybersecurity skill deficit, our three winners are committed to ensuring that federal IT workers can meet the demands of the rapidly changing cyber-threat landscape," said Todd Thibodeaux, President and CEO. CEO of CompTIA. With these sensitive data at risk, these honorees are leading the burden to ensure that government workers have the skills and resources to protect federal systems now and in the future. "

IT professionals surveyed by CompTIA do not see a single silver bullet to allow the government to close the cyber-skills gap in the federal workforce. The best and most effective cybersecurity federal workforce will require a multifaceted approach, combining formal education, on-the-job training and change to workplace culture and compensation incentives.

The survey also reveals that

    Seventy-six percent of IT professionals believe that the government should offer more competitive wages and flexible work arrangements for its technology workers
    72 percent said the government should do a better job of identifying and promoting career paths for civilians and military of government cyber professionals
    61 percent said the government should improve or expand cybersquatting to offset education costs in exchange for government services
    59 percent said that government employers should be better educated and accept cyber professionals without 4-year university degrees.

About Excellence in Cyber Security

Representative Jim Langevin (D-RI)
Representative Langevin has been one of the House's key voices in cybersecurity issues through his leadership on the House Armed Services Committee's Emerging Threat Subcommittee and the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection and Security. Rep. Langevin has promoted a competition introducing high school students to the rapidly growing field of cybersecurity and obtained funding to begin other workforce development initiatives. These proposals are crucial to ensuring that we fill the next generation of the cybernetic workforce.

Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD)
As chair of the Senate Cyber Security Subcommittee, Sen. Rounds has been instrumental in overseeing Department of Defense programs related to cybernetic forces and capabilities. Sen. Rounds also sponsored the DOD Cyber Scholarship Program Act, which seeks to modify and enhance an existing DOD scholarship program for students pursuing degrees in cybersecurity camps. Such a move would represent an important step towards supporting the country's continued need for a strong cybernetic workforce.

Lisa Dorr, Director of Planning and Development of the IT Task Force and Assistant Director of Personnel, Office of Information Security (OIS), United States Department of Health and Human Services
Lisa Dorr's work at the Department of Health and Human Services implementing the Federal Cyber Security Workforce Assessment Act has been a critical step in securing the personal information of millions of Americans. Through her leadership, Lisa has spearheaded HHS 'efforts to develop and implement vital cyber security policies and processes, execute intelligent workforce development strategies, and implement much-needed security training and awareness that will ultimately lead to increased protections Through the most delicate networks of the department.