ISC2 Launches Academic Advisory Council to Strengthen Global Cybersecurity Education and Workforce Readiness

News provided by

Oct 06, 2026, 10:00 ET

Collaborative initiative brings together academic and industry leaders to ensure students are ready for cyber jobs in an AI-driven workplace

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- ISC2 – the world's leading nonprofit member organization for cybersecurity professionals – announced the launch of its Academic Advisory Council as the cybersecurity profession faces growing demand for job-ready skills, including the ability to secure, govern and responsibly use artificial intelligence in cyber environments. The new Council will bring together cybersecurity educators, academic leaders and industry practitioners to strengthen collaboration between academia and industry, helping institutions better prepare students for successful cybersecurity careers.

Employers increasingly need cybersecurity professionals who are ready to apply their skills in real-world environments to keep pace with the fast-changing knowledge, skills and professional competencies required in the field. A recent report notes that 74.5% believe that the existing undergraduate cybersecurity curriculum is missing important elements. By creating a structured forum for collaboration between academia and industry, ISC2 aims to help close the gap between classroom learning and workforce expectations, supporting stronger student outcomes and a more resilient cybersecurity talent pipeline.

"Preparing the next generation of cybersecurity professionals requires more than strong academic programs; it requires sustained alignment between what is taught, what employers need and what the profession demands," said Casey Marks, Chief Operating Officer, ISC2. "The Academic Advisory Council gives academia and industry a structured and collaborative forum to focus on workforce readiness, program effectiveness and operational excellence. ISC2's role is to convene and support that dialogue, helping the community advance practical, evidence-informed approaches that strengthen student outcomes and the cybersecurity talent pipeline."

According to the latest ISC2 Cybersecurity Workforce Study, artificial intelligence was the most frequently cited cybersecurity skills need, identified by 41% of respondents, followed by cloud security at 36%. The findings help inform where academic programs need to focus educational priorities in order to keep pace with known skills requirements across the cybersecurity workforce.

Council Focus Areas Informed by Workforce Skills Needs

The Academic Advisory Council is guided by educators and practitioners who understand the challenges institutions face in delivering sustainable, high-quality cybersecurity education programs. The Council will focus on:

Strengthening workforce readiness as AI becomes more prevalent across the cybersecurity practice
Supporting operational excellence in academic cybersecurity programs
Advancing program effectiveness for improving skill readiness
Creating opportunities for educators and industry practitioners to share best practices

Through these focus areas, the Council will help institutions identify practical ways to align student experiences with the expectations of today's cybersecurity profession. ISC2 Cybersecurity Workforce Study insights will inform that work by highlighting the skills employers need to address evolving threats such as AI-driven social engineering, ransomware and rapidly scaled software vulnerabilities.

ISC2's Role in The Collaborative Academic Advisory Council

ISC2 will serve as convener and facilitator, using its workforce research, certification expertise and global professional community to support the initiative. By supporting stronger collaboration between educators and industry practitioners, the Academic Advisory Council will help institutions prepare students for cybersecurity careers and AI readiness, and contribute to a stronger, more resilient pipeline of qualified professionals entering the workforce.

For more information about the Academic Advisory Council and ISC2's work to support the cybersecurity profession, visit https://www.isc2.org/about/academic-advisory-council.

About ISC2

ISC2 is the world's leading member organization for cybersecurity professionals, driven by our vision of a safe and secure cyber world. Our more than 270,000 certified members, and associates, are a force for good, safeguarding the way we live. Our award-winning certifications – including cybersecurity's premier certification, the CISSP® – enable professionals to demonstrate their knowledge, skills and abilities at every stage of their careers. ISC2 strengthens the influence, diversity and vitality of the cybersecurity profession through advocacy, expertise and workforce empowerment that accelerates cyber safety and security in an interconnected world. Our charitable foundation, the Center for Cyber Safety and Education, helps create more access to cyber careers and educates those most vulnerable. Learn more, get involved or become an ISC2 Candidate to build your cyber career at ISC2.org. Connect with us on X, Facebook and LinkedIn.

Media Contact:

Jarred LeFebvre
Senior Director, Global Communications
ISC2
[email protected]

SOURCE ISC2