The cost of cybercrime is predicted to hit $10.5 trillion by 2025, according to the latest version of the Cisco/Cybersecurity Ventures "2022 Cybersecurity Almanac." The way that people work, the tools that they use, and the mindset they must adopt to protect the enterprise has to evolve to keep up with the threat landscape. With an estimated 2.7 million unfilled cybersecurity positions, companies around the world are struggling to hire enough talent to monitor and remediate cyberattacks or develop new technology to combat today’s latest threats. 

Raising $1 million to fund the next generation of cybersecurity talent

Solving this cybersecurity talent shortage will take a collective industry-wide effort. That’s why Mezmo is proud to stand alongside industry partners and peers to raise $1 million to help fund one year of community college courses for Bay Area students pursuing careers in cybersecurity. We are starting by matching NightDragon’s donation of $20,000 to the scholarship fund. 

“The security landscape is evolving at a rapid pace in response to the number of threats and bad actors that exist in the world today.” said Tucker Callaway, CEO of Mezmo. “Coupled with the expanded technology surface area, companies are left playing defense. Bringing more cybersecurity talent into the industry will help the enterprise play offense.”   

The campaign is led by Mezmo partner NightDragon, an investment and advisory firm focused on the cybersecurity, safety, security, and privacy industries, and NextGen Cyber Talent, a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing diversity and inclusion in the cybersecurity industry through education and career opportunities for underserved and underrepresented students. 

Participating companies

The campaign includes more than 25 industry-leading cybersecurity and technology leaders, including AllegisCyber Capital, Carahsoft, Claroty, Coalfire, Deloitte, Exclusive Networks, ForgeRock, HUMAN Security, iboss, Immuta, Ingram Micro, Interos, Macnica Networks, Merlin, NightDragon, Onapsis, Optiv, Prosek, Team8, Ten Eleven Ventures, ThriveDX, SafeGuard Cyber, Snowflake, and vArmour Networks.  

“It's so important to bring new people with fresh perspectives into the industry,” said Callaway. “We’ll all be stronger with more diverse minds and experiences working together.”

NextGen Cyber Talent partners with Bay Area community colleges to offer several cohorts of training programs, continuous career development and mentoring, and grants to hundreds of students pursuing cybersecurity education. The funds raised through this campaign will be distributed by NextGen Cyber Talent to students at participating Bay Area community colleges who have applied and met the qualifying grade criteria of a B- or better. 

In addition to capital, founding coalition partners have also contributed additional in-kind donations, including lectures, curriculum materials, and internships for students.

How you can bring more cybersecurity professionals into the industry

Solving the cybersecurity talent shortage will take a collective industry-wide effort. We are honored to stand together with our partners on this important mission and hope the rest of the industry joins us on this important cause.  

Donations of any size can be made through the Coalition to Close the Cybersecurity Talent Gap campaign donations page.