(BPT) - Cyber-enabled crimes are on the rise, posing significant threats to organizations' data, proprietary technology and financial assets. Whether cybercriminals aim to disrupt operations by wiping data, as was the case with the medical tech company Stryker, or to steal millions of dollars, as in the Arup AI deepfake incident, the need for robust cybersecurity has never been more urgent. However, finding trained professionals with the skills needed to prevent and resolve cybersecurity issues is easier said than done.

The importance of closing the skills gap

According to the Fortinet 2026 Cybersecurity Skills Gap Report, 86% of surveyed organizations reported at least one breach in the past year, with breaches costing more than $1 million and taking months to recover. When asked about the causes of the breaches, 56% of organizations surveyed attributed them in part to a lack of cybersecurity skills and trained IT security staff.

As more cybercriminals use AI to automate attacks and increase their speed and sophistication, up-to-date cybersecurity education and training are crucial to preparing students to hit the ground running upon hire.

"The cyber workforce gap is real, and AI is changing what entry-level jobs look like," said Dr. Jingdi (Rebecca) Zeng, senior professor and curriculum chair of Colleges and Curriculum at DeVry University, member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and ABET program evaluator. "That means part of the learning that used to happen on the job now needs to happen earlier, in the classroom."

Cybersecurity education and training must also evolve with the changing landscape and emerging technologies, equipping students to tackle the challenges of today and tomorrow.

"The speed at which cyberattack methods change is staggering, and they're changing almost daily," said Dr. Jude Lamour, senior professor and faculty chair in the College of Engineering and Information Sciences at DeVry. "Changes that used to take months or years now happen on the same day or as little as four hours. That's why it's vital to have curriculum that is adaptable to keep up with what's happening in the field."

The inextricable link between the cybersecurity workforce and education

If what worked today to protect an organization against a cyberattack may not work tomorrow, how can future cybersecurity professionals keep up? According to Lamour, it starts with the fundamentals.

"Every cybersecurity student should master the fundamentals, including networking, basic software systems, web applications, database applications and key security principles," he said. "At the end of the day, even with the many daily changes in the cybersecurity landscape, a computer is a computer. The fundamentals don't change. That's why DeVry's cybersecurity programs focus on instilling these fundamentals and marrying them with practical hands-on learning, so students can enter the workforce and respond to changing threats with agility."

Zeng echoes Lamour's sentiment and adds that cybersecurity education should draw on industry needs.

"Our cyber programs are designed around a clear learning pathway, with a strong focus on practical cyber skills and emerging technologies including AI," she said. "In the age of AI, I see DeVry University playing an even more important role in preparing students with practical skills and helping close the cyber workforce gap."

Practical experience that mimics real-world challenges

Beyond knowledge of fundamentals and exposure to emerging technologies, future cybersecurity professionals need practical experience, and that starts with faculty experience.

"There are plenty of folks with degrees in cybersecurity who have never worked in the field," Lamour added. "They don't know how to apply what they're teaching in a practical setting. That's why DeVry's Cybersecurity Center of Excellence is led by industry professionals and instructors who are experienced in this dynamic and ever-evolving field."

With these experienced professionals guiding them, students can begin working on challenges that mirror real-world cybersecurity needs, not just in theory. By practicing with technologies like Cyber Range - a Cloud Range-powered platform that offers interactive simulations and hands-on training - DeVry students can learn to use the tools needed in the cybersecurity workforce.

"The Cyber Range gives students a place to practice individual skills within a realistic workflow," Zeng said. "It helps them connect the dots, see the bigger picture and develop stronger critical thinking skills. Combined with AI literacy, we're helping students fill knowledge gaps that might otherwise slow down their learning and problem-solving process, preparing them for today and tomorrow's cyber workforce."

The cybersecurity workforce gap will not close through technical knowledge alone. By aligning curriculum with industry needs and emphasizing hands-on learning, DeVry is preparing graduates to adapt quickly, think critically and help organizations meet the cyber threats of today and tomorrow.

To learn more about the university's cybersecurity programs and the future of the field, visit DeVry.edu.