Webinar Series

Understanding Interventions that Broaden Underrepresented Minority Participation in Cybersecurity 

Careers

September 18, 2019
Understanding Interventions that 

Broaden Underrepresented Minority 

Participation in Cybersecurity Careers

Claudia Morrell, CEO

Greg Hodges, COO

September 18, 2019

The STEM Equity Initiative, Inc. is a 501 (c)(3) Corporation 
© 2019 STEM Equity Initiative, Inc. 2

Goal of today’s webinar

• Why diversity hiring matters

• Effective instructional strategies

• Proven strategies to broaden underrepresented minority particpation 

in cybersecurity and other related fields

• Examples of successful diversity hiring practices

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POLL

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© 2019 STEM Equity Initiative, Inc. 4

The STEM /Cybersecurity Pipeline

Percent of 8th graders enrolled in Algebra I by demographic

80% of 8th graders have 

access to Algebra I; 

Only 24% enroll

Male

Female

Male

Female

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© 2019 STEM Equity Initiative, Inc. 5

Traditional Educational Approach

© Copyright 2015, Paul Kuttner 5
© 2019 STEM Equity Initiative, Inc. 6

Equitable Learning Environments

ELEs remove systemic barriers to learning so all students are 

recognized as valuable assets in school and in the workforce

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© 2019 STEM Equity Initiative, Inc. 7

A New Model for STEM Education: 

NEIR Model for ELEs

–Student asset model 

– Intersectional approach 

–Sustainable practice 

– Research & practice + engineering & business

–Expertise similar to the requirements of 

cybersecurity education!

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© 2019 STEM Equity Initiative, Inc. 8

Key Indicators (NEIR) 

for Building Equitable Learning Environments 

Normalizing

Relevant Inclusive

Empowering

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POLL

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© 2019 STEM Equity Initiative, Inc. 10

Program Improvement Process Builds on a 

Comprehensive Needs Assessment

Evaluate 

Current State

Analyze 

Requirements

Propose 

Solution

Develop Design

Deliver Product 

or Service

Collect 

Feedback

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© 2019 STEM Equity Initiative, Inc. 11

Systemic Change Requires 

Effective Process

Integrating the NEIR and Process Improvement models 

creates sustainable Equitable Learning Environments

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© 2019 STEM Equity Initiative, Inc. 12

Examples of 2018-2019 Implemented 

Strategies to Broaden Participation

Normalizing Empowering Inclusive Relevant 

https://stemequityinitiative.org

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© 2019 STEM Equity Initiative, Inc. 13

Thank You!

cmorrell@STEMEquityInitiative.org

ghodges@STEMEquityInitiative.org

www.STEMEquityInitiative.org

fb.com/STEMEquityInitiative

Questions?

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“Diversity in the Cybersecurity Workforce” 

Making a case for it and finding a solution

By Tony Marshall

President and CEO September 18, 2019

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Why is Diversity Important? 

 IT is done in teams

 A diverse team yields a superior outcome

 A Team of the G.O.A.T. could never beat a diverse team

 Currently, our cybersecurity teams are not as diverse as they could be

 But there is a solution !!!!!!

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POLL

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The Cybersecurity Talent Gap 

 The shortage of trained cybersecurity professionals is well documented

 The US talent shortage has nearly doubled since 2013 and is growing 

three times as fast as the shortage for other IT roles

 It’s going to get worse before it gets better

 There is a solution !!!!!!

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Life is a Math problem

 Over 60 Million people in this country do not have access to the internet

 Most of the effected communities are in Urban and Rural communities

 These communities tend to be overwhelmingly Black and Brown

 Many of our poor performing schools have very little tech exposure

 Even when we get women in IT related professions the attrition rate is too high

 There is a solution !!!!!!! 

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Cybersecurity is different

 You can’t “Fake it until you Make it”

 Developing a Cybersecurity Professional is like training a Pilot

 Three step process:

 - Education

 - Training

 - Experience

 You need all 3 before you get started

 So what is the solution????

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“Apprenticeship” 

 A Registered Apprenticeship = a defined set of steps put in place to develop a 

single or multiple novices into seasoned 

professionals.

 To develop a Cybersecurity professional you need.

 1) Knowledge - The attainment of an education

 2) Training - The attainment of a set of skills

 3) Experience - The practical application of knowledge and skills over time

 ISG-CAP is a carefully coordinated program, designed to systematically 

develop carefully selected military veterans into cybersecurity professionals.

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Case Study on ISG-CAP

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To get a copy of the Case Study 

Text 

ISGCAP 

to 44222
ISG Cybersecurity Apprenticeship Program

“The Cybersecurity 

Apprenticeship Program 

(ISG-CAP) combines 

Education, Virtual Simulation 

Training and work experience 

to produce certified, trained, 

validated and experienced 

cybersecurity professionals.”

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ISG-CAP Apprentice Cohort I Open House

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Conclusion 

 ISG conducted a pilot with the state of NC

 The ISG-CAP pilot was highly successful

 The state of NC (Our Client) has significantly expanded the program 

 To date, 90% apprentices have completed the program

 All apprentices required to complete their CISSP certification

 ISG-CAP is the most efficient way to develop proven Cybersecurity talent 

 ISG-CAP Works!!!

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ISG-CAP Questions and Comments

ISG

8480 Honeycutt Road, Suite #200

Raleigh, North Carolina 27615

Phone: 919-844-8075

www.isglink.com

INFO@isglink.com

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Q & A 

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