GovDefenders | An Interview About Cybersecurity Training with the Executive Director of FITSI
Jim Wiggins is the Executive Director of the Federal IT Security Institute (FITSI). FITSI is a non-profit organization that provides a role-based IT security certification program targeted at the federal workforce. Jim possesses over 16 years direct experience in the design, operation, management, and auditing of information technology systems, with the past 12 years focused on information systems security. He has an extensive background in technical education and specializes in security certification courses targeted at federal and government contracting clients. In 2011, the Federal Information Systems Security Educators' Association (FISSEA) named him "Educator of the Year."
Jim is one of two keynotes at this year's GovDefenders Online Cybersecurity Conference on April 24. He'll be presenting, "Building the Next Generation of Cyber Defenders." His presentation will discuss an advanced training and assessment program - the Wounded Warrior Cyber Combat Academy - currently in development by FITSI to arm our wounded warriors with technical skills that supplement their existing dedication, patience, and devotion to duty. During his presentation, Jim will talk about changes in IT security, why cybersecurity training is so difficult, and the tracks they've developed to train cyber defenders.
We've interviewed Jim to give you a sample of the great content you'll hear if you attend GovDefenders this year. In the below interview, Jim answers the following questions:
- The 2012 FISMA report was released recently, and according to the report cybersecurity budgets increased by $1.3B and yet the budget, as a percentage, went down for cybersecurity training. Why?
- How has cybersecurity training evolved over the years?
- There were several educations breakouts during this year's RSA conference about why we need more practitioners than managers. Why is that?
- If an agency is considering cybersecurity training, what should they consider?
- What is the unemployment rate of cybersecurity professionals?
- What types of traits should recruiters look for in a cybersecurity professional?
For more information on GovDefenders and to watch Jim Wiggins' full presentation on April 24, for free and online, register for the GovDefenders event by clicking here!
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