Top Strategies to Bridge the Cyber Skills Gap in Public Sector IT

What is the cyber skills gap in government?

The cyber skills gap describes the critical shortage of skilled cybersecurity professionals in state and local government IT. As digital threats grow more sophisticated, many agencies struggle to find and retain certified cybersecurity experts. This gap leaves essential public services and critical infrastructure vulnerable to cyberattacks, data breaches, and loss of public trust.

In today’s digital-first environment, the cybersecurity skills gap is a growing challenge for state and local government IT leaders. According the Cyberseek, more than 6,000 cybersecurity roles remain unfilled in state and local government. With cyber threats rising and public trust at stake, closing this gap through targeted government cybersecurity training and professional cybersecurity certifications is not just smart—it’s essential.

This article will outline why the skills shortage exists, highlight the impact of upskilling, explain which certifications are most valuable (like CompTIA Security+ and CompTIA CySA+), and provide actionable steps you can take right now to strengthen your public sector cyber workforce.

Why does the cyber skills gap exist in state & local government?

• Budget and salary constraints: Private-sector jobs for cybersecurity professionals often pay more, making it harder for government agencies to attract and keep top talent.

• Outdated technology: Many public sector agencies use legacy systems, which are less attractive to tech-savvy cybersecurity professionals.

• Limited cybersecurity training: Government organizations often lack strong cybersecurity programs due to training budget.

• Awareness gap: Employees and leadership may not understand the different cybersecurity certification pathways available or how certifications like Security+ and CySA+ benefit career advancement.

The impact of cybersecurity upskilling on public sector security

Upskilling isn’t just about technical know-how—it’s about building digital resilience. Agencies with robust training programs and professionally certified IT staff report:

• Fewer data breaches and incidents
• Faster response times to threats
• Higher public trust and credibility
• Access to more federal cybersecurity funding and grants

Which cybersecurity certifications are most valuable for the government?

Selecting the right cybersecurity certifications is vital for workforce development. Two main credentials that stand out for state and local government IT teams are:

1. CompTIA Security+ Certification

• Covers threat detection, risk management, compliance, and defense against attacks
• Well-suited for IT system administrators, SOC analysts, and entry-level cybersecurity professionals
• Recognized under DoD 8140 frameworks, making it essential for federal and defense-aligned roles

2. CompTIA CySA+ Certification

• Focuses on advanced threat detection, vulnerability assessment, and proactive defensive strategies
• Ideal for cybersecurity analysts and security operations center (SOC) team members
• Aligns with NICE Framework job roles and is highly respected in both public and private sectors

What cybersecurity jobs are most in demand in government?

Government agencies need these positions most:

• Cybersecurity Analysts
• Incident Responders
• Penetration Testers (Ethical Hackers)
• Security Architects

These roles benefit directly from targeted cybersecurity certificates and security class training.

How can state and local agencies close the cyber skills gap?

Ready to get started? Here’s a simple roadmap:

1. Assess your IT team’s skills
   Conduct a cyber skills audit and identify gaps and training needs.
2. Prioritize upskilling
   Focus first on roles with the greatest risk and responsibility (e.g., system administrators, network engineers, penetration testers).
3. Establish a certification roadmap
   Invest in Security+, CySA+, and other high-value credentials for your staff.
4. Use your government discount for training
   Government discounts can be used directly through CompTIA to purchase certification vouchers and training.
5. Build a continuous learning culture
   Celebrate certification achievements, share knowledge, and keep security top-of-mind with ongoing cyber training programs.

Frequently asked questions

Q: Why is cybersecurity certification important for government IT?
A: Certifications like Security+, and CySA+, validate skills, keep staff current with best practices, and are often required for key security roles within federal frameworks (e.g., DoD 8140).

Q: What’s the fastest way to start government cybersecurity training?
A: Start with a team skills audit, identify top training needs, and reach out to our government experts to learn how to enroll your team in foundational certification courses like Security+.

Bridging the cyber skills gap is not only about protecting data—it’s about ensuring digital resilience, public trust, and ongoing success for state and local government agencies. Start by auditing your team’s skills, prioritizing cybersecurity certifications, and building a culture of continuous learning.