DULLES, Va., Oct. 24, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- An annual
survey commissioned by Raytheon Intelligence, Information and
Services, Forcepoint and the National Cyber Security Alliance
(NCSA) revealed that despite increased awareness of what a career
in cybersecurity might look like, millennials remain unprepared for
and uninterested in pursuing a career in the field. The fifth
annual study, Securing Our Future: Cybersecurity and the
Millennial Workforce, captures alarming trends among
millennials including riskier online behaviors today than in 2013,
despite the known consequences.
Additionally, the survey showed the dominant share (43 percent)
of survey respondents believe the final outcome of the 2016 U.S.
presidential election was influenced by cyber attacks. These
findings echo national sentiments as a recent string of large-scale
data breaches has shaken the public's confidence in the security of
critical information and infrastructure.
"The demand for skilled cyber talent has become a national
security issue," said Dave Wajsgras,
president of Raytheon's Intelligence, Information and Services
business. "While great strides have been made to increase
millennial awareness in the cybersecurity profession, there is
still work to be done."
Key findings from the study include:
- Cybersecurity Awareness:
-
- Thirty-four percent of U.S. survey respondents (37 percent
globally) said a teacher discussed cybersecurity with them as a
career choice. This percentage has nearly tripled since 2013, when
only 13 percent of U.S. respondents said a career in cyber had been
mentioned to them by a teacher, guidance or career counselor
- Fifty-one percent of U.S. respondents (52 percent globally) say
they know the typical range of responsibilities and job tasks
involved in the cybersecurity profession, up from 37 percent in the
U.S. in 2014
- Globally, 46 percent of men have met or known someone studying
cybersecurity at the high school, university or graduate level
compared to only 26 percent of women
- Seventy-one percent of young adults surveyed think it's their
own responsibility to keep themselves secure online rather than
relying on the government, commercial companies or other
individuals
- Low Interest:
-
- Globally, only 38 percent of millennials were more willing
to consider a career in cybersecurity than a year ago which is
unchanged from last year
- Carefree Behavior:
-
- Globally, 63 percent click on links even if they aren't sure
the source of the link is legitimate
- The proportion of U.S. young adults who share passwords with
non-family members nearly doubled from 23 percent in 2013 to 39
percent in 2017 (42 percent globally this year)
- Seventy-four percent reported using unsecured public Wi-Fi
today in the U.S. as a matter of convenience even though the
security risks are well documented, up from 66 percent in 2013
"We need to be providing the tools for this generation to take
action and embrace safe online practices," said Michael Kaiser, executive director of the
National Cyber Security Alliance. "We also need strong role models
– including parents, teachers, colleagues, and friends – to help
improve cyber practices nationwide and encourage the pursuit of
cybersecurity careers among young adults."
Raytheon, Forcepoint and NCSA released these latest results to
commemorate the 14th annual National Cyber Security Awareness
Month, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and
NCSA each October.
For more detail and analysis of the survey findings, please
visit www.Raytheon.com/CyberWorkforce.
Methodology
The survey was commissioned by
Raytheon and Forcepoint in partnership with the National Cyber
Security Alliance. Zogby Analytics, a nationally and
internationally renowned opinion research firm, independently
conducted the survey. The global study polled 3,359 young adults
ages 18-26 in nine countries: Australia, Germany, Jordan, Poland, Qatar, Saudi
Arabia, United Arab
Emirates, United Kingdom
and United States.
About Raytheon
Raytheon Company, with 2016 sales
of $24 billion and 63,000 employees, is a technology and
innovation leader specializing in defense, civil government and
cybersecurity solutions. With a history of innovation spanning 95
years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission
systems integration, C5ITM products and services,
sensing, effects, and mission support for customers in more than 80
countries. Raytheon is headquartered in Waltham,
Massachusetts. Follow us
on Twitter.
About Forcepoint
Forcepoint is transforming cybersecurity by focusing on what
matters most: understanding people's intent as they interact with
critical data and intellectual property wherever it resides. Our
uncompromising systems enable companies to empower employees with
unobstructed access to confidential data while protecting
intellectual property and simplifying compliance. Based in
Austin, Texas, Forcepoint protects
the human point for thousands of enterprise and government
customers in more than 150 countries. For more about Forcepoint,
visit www.forcepoint.com and follow us on Twitter
at @ForcepointSec.
About The National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA)
NCSA is the nation's leading nonprofit public-private partnership
promoting the safe and secure use of the internet and digital
privacy. Through collaboration with the government, corporate,
nonprofit and academic sectors, NCSA's mission is to educate and
empower digital citizens to use the internet securely and safely,
protect themselves and the technology they use and safeguard the
digital assets we share. NCSA leads initiatives for
STOP.THINK.CONNECT™, a global online safety and awareness campaign;
Data Privacy Day (Jan. 28) and
National Cyber Security Awareness Month (October). To learn more
visit staysafeonline.org.
Media Contacts
Raytheon
Ellen Klicka
571.250.1029
Ellen.H.Klicka@raytheon.com
National Cyber Security Alliance
Jessica Beffa
720.413.4938
ncsa@thatcherandco.com
Forcepoint
Rachael
Lyon
512.664.1029
Rachael.Lyon@forcepoint.com
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SOURCE Raytheon Company