Bianca Tate
Staff Reporter
City Colleges of Chicago has joined the U.S Department of Defense in piloting a Cyber Security Program that will provide military job opportunities.
The program’s purpose is to face cyber threat challenges that can affect the United States, according to CCC. This partnership will train civilians on CCC campuses.
As a six month training program, members will access military job opportunity that can later be added as requirements in the future, but will not receive college credit.
“The demand by companies to boost cyber security capacity has led to the addition of about 200,000 new jobs each year and careers in cyber security now account for more than 10 percent of all IT jobs,” according to CCC. “In the city of Chicago alone, there is a demand for another 10,000 skilled workers each year to fill these needs in the City of Chicago alone.”
This growing job demand is due to the urgency of the program’s practice, according to Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
“Recent events on the national and global stage have demonstrated the critical need to secure our sensitive data and information technology -- in both the public and private sectors,” he said.
HWC President Margie Martyn also recognized the program’s importance.
“Cyber hacking has changed dramatically over the years, hackers are able to access your social security information, finances and identity if issue doesn’t get resolved,” she said.
Harold Washington College students showed interest in the program.
“I think students should be aware of it because if you are interested in the military the program will be helpful and can be a future learning experience,” said an HWC student who was not aware of the program.
Other students with knowledge of the program were optimistic of the program’s success due to developing technology and softwares that can prevent future hackings.
The program will take place at Wilbur Wright College.
“Cyber security focus and boot camp program complements the college’s existing IT offerings, and will draw upon the campus’ existing infra`structure, as well as its exclusive partnerships with leading Chicago IT industry partners that provide students hands-on exposure and internship opportunities,” according to CCC.