Future Cyber Security Army Needs More Than Just Programmers

Think the future of cyber security relies solely on computer programmers? Wrong.

Securing financial information, personal data and proprietary plans along government, corporate and personal networks will require filling the growing demand for skilled cyber security professionals with a diverse pipeline of talent, including consulting, communications and risk management, Heather Engel, Executive Vice President of Sera-Brynn, told Vice President Joe Biden in a roundtable discussion earlier this month at Norfolk State University.

Sera-Brynn was the only Hampton Roads-based business invited to participate in discussions with the closed-door panel, which included Biden, the Virginia Governor and members of President Obama's cabinet.

“It’s time to change the conversation and help students and employers recognize that cyber security jobs aren’t only for programmers,” Engel said.“Cyber security is not just an IT problem, and businesses need talent across the organization with a variety of skills.Partnerships with schools, internship programs, work study and mentoring will shape the workforce, give hands-on experience and help students build connections that are vital for securing jobs.”

The discussion with Biden followed his announcement of a $25 million grant to support cyber security education.

“As the only certified cyber security audit firm in North America partnered with a large financial institution, we are uniquely positioned to contribute to this discussion,” Engel said.“We offer an end-to-end approach to managing cyber risk through compliance, insurance and incident response.&rdquo

“Technology alone has its limitations,”said Rob Hegedus, Sera-Brynn’s chief executive officer.“Our holistic approach to cyber risk management provides the most comprehensive protection for businesses of all sizes.”

And, it’s experience in seeing how a holistic approach can effectively manage the cyber risk of networks that gives Engel and Sera-Brynn firsthand knowledge of the need to have a diverse workforce battling the cyber security needs of the future.

"This industry requires critical thinking, questioning, and experimentation," Engel said. "Our adversaries are working with free downloads and a laptop.”

"But there’s good news,” she continued. “Having worked in this industry for more than 15 years, we see a need for students from all backgrounds and interests. Not all of those people will have a computer science background."

The answer? Engel calls on industry and educational institutions to start partnering now for the future.

"These partnerships will provide students with hands-on experience and help them build connections that are vital for securing a job," Engel said. "If they can earn credits through internships and graduate with less debt, so much the better. To change the conversation, we need to start early and diversify the talent pipeline."

Featured

  • Report: 47 Percent of Security Service Providers Are Not Yet Using AI or Automation Tools

    Trackforce, a provider of security workforce management platforms, today announced the launch of its 2025 Physical Security Operations Benchmark Report, an industry-first study that benchmarks both private security service providers and corporate security teams side by side. Based on a survey of over 300 security professionals across the globe, the report provides a comprehensive look at the state of physical security operations. Read Now

    • Guard Services
  • Identity Governance at the Crossroads of Complexity and Scale

    Modern enterprises are grappling with an increasing number of identities, both human and machine, across an ever-growing number of systems. They must also deal with increased operational demands, including faster onboarding, more scalable models, and tighter security enforcement. Navigating these ever-growing challenges with speed and accuracy requires a new approach to identity governance that is built for the future enterprise. Read Now

  • Eagle Eye Networks Launches AI Camera Gun Detection

    Eagle Eye Networks, a provider of cloud video surveillance, recently introduced Eagle Eye Gun Detection, a new layer of protection for schools and businesses that works with existing security cameras and infrastructure. Eagle Eye Networks is the first to build gun detection into its platform. Read Now

  • Report: AI is Supercharging Old-School Cybercriminal Tactics

    AI isn’t just transforming how we work. It’s reshaping how cybercriminals attack, with threat actors exploiting AI to mass produce malicious code loaders, steal browser credentials and accelerate cloud attacks, according to a new report from Elastic. Read Now

  • Pragmatism, Productivity, and the Push for Accountability in 2025-2026

    Every year, the security industry debates whether artificial intelligence is a disruption, an enabler, or a distraction. By 2025, that conversation matured, where AI became a working dimension in physical identity and access management (PIAM) programs. Observations from 2025 highlight this turning point in AI’s role in access control and define how security leaders are being distinguished based on how they apply it. Read Now

New Products

  • Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems, an industry-leading manufacturer of pedestrian and vehicle secure entrance control access systems, is pleased to announce the release of its groundbreaking V07 software. The V07 software update is designed specifically to address cybersecurity concerns and will ensure the integrity and confidentiality of Automatic Systems applications. With the new V07 software, updates will be delivered by means of an encrypted file.

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions.

  • ResponderLink

    ResponderLink

    Shooter Detection Systems (SDS), an Alarm.com company and a global leader in gunshot detection solutions, has introduced ResponderLink, a groundbreaking new 911 notification service for gunshot events. ResponderLink completes the circle from detection to 911 notification to first responder awareness, giving law enforcement enhanced situational intelligence they urgently need to save lives. Integrating SDS’s proven gunshot detection system with Noonlight’s SendPolice platform, ResponderLink is the first solution to automatically deliver real-time gunshot detection data to 911 call centers and first responders. When shots are detected, the 911 dispatching center, also known as the Public Safety Answering Point or PSAP, is contacted based on the gunfire location, enabling faster initiation of life-saving emergency protocols.