ARINC Hosts Briefing on Cybersecurity Grants, Attracts Industry Executives

Annapolis, Maryland—More than a dozen industry executives from the greater Baltimore region attended a briefing today in Annapolis to learn about federal grant money available for training employees in cybersecurity.

Cybersecurity—the protection of networks against intrusions, espionage and data theft—is becoming a greater concern for government, industry, and the military. With the increase in attacks on cyber systems and networks, the demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals is growing at a steep rate.

In response, last year the Anne Arundel Workforce Development Corporation (AAWDC) formed a consortium of academic and industry partners to obtain a $4.9 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to support cybersecurity training in growing the region’s workforce.

In the first phase of the “Pathways to Cybersecurity Careers” program, funds were allocated to enroll over 180 displaced workers in cybersecurity courses to better enable them to find work. Today’s briefing marks the opening of a second phase in the AAWDC-administered program—this one targeted at the training of current (incumbent) employees.

In this phase, training funds are available for companies to use up to a maximum of $2,500 per employee or $30,000 per company annually. Employers pay for the courses up front, and receive repayment after students successfully complete each course. To qualify to use the funds, employers need to agree that the training their employees receive helps them grow their cybersecurity skills for increased opportunity and advancement.

“This program is results-oriented because the need for qualified personnel is growing so fast,” said AAWDC Program Manager Thomas Francovitch, who assists in administering the cybersecurity training program. “The need is critical now for private companies, who provide the labor force needed within Maryland. Additionally, the need will increase as U.S. Cyber Command and the Defense Information Systems Agency become established locally at Fort Meade.”

The briefing at ARINC headquarters in Annapolis was hosted by Frederick Ferrer, ARINC’s Cyberspace Director and Chair of the Consortium Advisory Board. Ferrer said that, in addition to the obvious need at Fort Meade, there will be a greater need in the private sector for cybersecurity experts to protect critical infrastructure such as nuclear electric plants and transportation systems—both areas in which ARINC performs work.

“We started out last year thinking the greatest need might be in the defense organizations and in the intelligence community, but that is only part of the picture,” said Ferrer. “The demand is growing in every segment of society, as cyber threats increase and the realization is sinking in that our society is almost totally dependent on cyber networks and systems to support many facets of daily life.”

ARINC Incorporated, a portfolio company of The Carlyle Group, provides communications, engineering and integration solutions for commercial, defense and government customers worldwide. Headquartered in Annapolis, Maryland with regional headquarters in London and Singapore, ARINC is ISO 9001:2008 certified.

Release: 11-029

Brand Management & Communications
corpcomm@arinc.com
+1 410.266.4652