The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T), in partnership with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), has awarded $2 million to the Critical Infrastructure Resilience Institute (CIRI) to develop a plan that CISA can execute to build a national network of cybersecurity technical institutes.

CIRI will work with Auburn University, Purdue University and the University of Tulsa to conduct research and develop a consolidated plan that uses an academic hub-and-spoke model to create a national network of cybersecurity institutes to educate and train cybersecurity professionals.

The U.S. Department of Commerce and DHS co-authored a report to the president titled “Supporting the Growth and Sustainment of the Nation’s Cybersecurity Workforce.” The report describes both cybersecurity workforce needs and projected shortages.

According to the report, there are an estimated 299,000 active openings for cybersecurity-related jobs in the United States as of August 2017.

Globally, projections suggest a cybersecurity workforce shortage of 1.8 million by 2022.