This Federal Award Will Allow Cyber Bytes Foundation to Address the Region’s Cybersecurity Workforce Gap, Invest in Research, & Provide Technical Training to Virginians

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger today announced that — after her office sent a letter of support — the U.S. Department of Commerce has awarded $189,042 in federal grant funding to the Cyber Bytes Foundation’s Quantico Cyber Hub.

This funding is made possible through the Regional Alliances and Multistakeholder Partnerships to Stimulate (RAMPS) Cybersecurity Education and Workforce Development Program at the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). This nearly $190,000 award will allow the Quantico Cyber Hub to partner with community organizations to address the region’s existing STEM workforce gap and invest in cutting-edge research. The Cyber Bytes Foundation will use this funding to focus on diversifying the cybersecurity workforce — including increasing opportunities for women, Veterans, residents of rural communities, and other underrepresented groups — and stimulating workforce development and cybersecurity education through outreach efforts, technical training, and certification courses. Quantico Cyber Hub members include technology industry leaders, higher-education institutions, K-12 school districts, government agencies, and workforce development organizations committed to leveraging innovation and excellence in cybersecurity’s key technology focus areas.

“Our national security and our nation’s future depend on a strong, skilled workforce that is well-equipped to address increasingly complex cyber threats,” said Spanberger. “My team and I recognized this funding’s ability to develop these career pathways for Virginians, and I’m proud that we were able to have a hand in bringing this funding home for the Cyber Bytes Foundation and addressing local workforce needs. Investments in our region’s cybersecurity workforce will connect Virginians with training to advance their careers in this field and help our Commonwealth remain a digital leader into the future.”

“We (Cyber Bytes Foundation) are honored and excited to be selected as 1 of 18 total nationwide recipients of the NIST RAMPS award. This recognition reflects our commitment to advancing Education, Innovation and Outreach in cybersecurity,” said Cesar Nader, Executive Director, Cyber Bytes Foundation. “We look forward to leveraging this opportunity to make meaningful contributions in the professional development of our youth, veterans, 1st Responders, Women, and Under-represented groups. We are determined to make Virginia the Crossroads of ‘Technology, Training, & Talent’ and grow more career (and not just job) opportunities for our communities.”

BACKGROUND

Cyber Bytes Foundation is one of 18 education and community organizations across 15 states who received this funding to support their work to address the nation’s shortage of skilled cybersecurity employees.

According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, the RAMPS Program seeks to build multistakeholder workforce partnerships of employers, schools and institutions of higher education, and other community organizations. The specific goals of the RAMPS Program are to align the workforce needs of local business and non-profit organizations, increase the pipeline of students pursuing cybersecurity careers, upskill more Americans to move them into jobs in cybersecurity, and support local economic development to stimulate job growth.

Click here to learn more about the RAMPS Program and these awards.

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