JPMorgan Chase has invested an additional $150,000 in Cyber Florida and its host institution, the University of South Florida, to launch a new iteration of the successful New Skills for a New Fight (NSNF) program, which provides free cybersecurity training to help local veterans gain the skills needed to fill vital positions in the local civilian workforce.
The program provides 20 veterans with eight weeks of instruction to prepare them for security operations analyst positions or similar roles. Classes will begin in July on the Tampa campus of the University of South Florida and are open to anyone who is eligible to receive veterans’ benefits from the State of Florida. Applicants can learn more and apply by visiting https://www.cyberflorida.org/NSNF.
USF Foundation CEO & Senior Vice President of Advancement and Alumni Relations Joel Momberg said, “We are thankful for JPMorgan Chase’s continued support of veterans. This grant opens doors for the bravest among us to enter a field that becomes more important by the day.”
JPMorgan Chase has committed more than $350,000 to Cyber Florida’s New Skills for a New Fight program since its pilot in 2016. Programs like these are needed to help meet the growing shortfall of cybersecurity talent in Florida. There are currently 13,500 open cybersecurity positions in Florida, according to the research organization CyberSeek. The average starting salary for a cybersecurity analyst is $56,216, according to Indeed.com.
“In many cases, the training, education, and experience that a veteran receives during his or her time in the armed forces makes them an ideal candidate to work in cybersecurity, a field that benefits from skills such as analytical thinking, crisis management and response, and the ability to follow procedures and function as part of a cohesive team,” remarked Sri Sridharan, director of Cyber Florida. “We are grateful to JPMorgan Chase for once again funding this important and worthwhile initiative, which will not only help veterans prepare for long-term, high-paying careers but also help address a critical workforce need,” he said.
JPMorgan Chase has long been committed to supporting local military and veterans’ programs focused on employment, housing, and education. In 2014, the firm contributed $235,750 to the USF Office of Veterans Success to promote post-military success through mentorships, academic support, and employment readiness.
“It is critical that we provide the right training to help our veterans transition to civilian life,” said Mark Elliott, head of JPMorgan Chase’s Office of Military and Veterans Affairs. “Not only are they physically and mentally strong, they are able to quickly assess risk and adapt quickly in a variety of situations. Those skills make them ideal candidates to fill open positions across a range of fields.”
