(TNS) — Thousands of cybersecurity jobs are opening up in Pennsylvania, and they will require talent, including people on the autism spectrum and those with neurodiverse disorders such as ADD and ADHD.
A newly announced program, the Neurodiversity Cyber Initiative, will help connect such individuals to jobs in cybersecurity.
Linden Pointe officials announced the program Tuesday during a visit by White House National Cyber Director Harry Corker Jr. to the eCenter@LindenPointe in Hermitage.
Bradley Calleja, executive director of Linden Pointe Development Corporation, said the program will be a collaboration between the eCenter’s Pennsylvania Cybersecurity Center (PCC) and the Mercyhurst Autism Initiative (AIM) at Mercyhurst University in Erie.
Calleja said AIM offers neurodiverse students at Mercyhurst University a variety of learning experiences, including cybersecurity.
PCC at LindenPointe offers cybersecurity training to high school students, college students and adult learners.
Through the Neurodiversity Cyber Initiative, students can dual-enroll at both Mercyhurst and PCC, which Calleja said could potentially expose students to both programs.
“From a dual enrollment standpoint, we believe we have a very well-structured program and are able to work directly with them,” Calleja said of AIM.
“And the fact that they already have something in place and they have the leadership and the talent is just fantastic.”
Craig Columbus, chairman of the board of directors for Linden Pointe Development Corp., said Mercyhurst University has about 70 students with autism enrolled and cybersecurity is the most popular major among those students.
Columbus said that as the father of a 25-year-old child with autism, he understands that this process may not always be easy for students and their families due to the individual needs and circumstances of those affected.
“When you meet someone with autism, you’re meeting someone with autism because their needs are so diverse,” Columbus said.
Speaking at a panel discussion later the same day, Dr. Christopher Mansour, dean of the School of Computing and Information Sciences at Mercyhurst University, said neurodiverse people may be particularly well suited for careers in cybersecurity.
“They have a different way of approaching problems and can think outside the box, which is what you need in this type of field,” Mansour said.
Calleja said the Neurodiversity Cyber Initiative will launch in January.
“We are grateful to the Pennsylvania Cybersecurity Center for helping us launch this innovative dual enrollment program that combines Mercyhurst University’s neurodiversity and cybersecurity strengths,” Ryan Palm, project initiator and executive director of the Brad McGarry Neurodiversity Center at Mercyhurst University, said in a press release.
“By combining our Autism Initiative with our cybersecurity degree, we not only address a critical workforce need, but we also create opportunities for students on the autism spectrum to thrive in a field where their unique skills and attributes are highly valued. This initiative is a testament to our commitment to inclusive education and the future of cybersecurity.”
©2024 The Herald (Sharon, Panther). Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
