Building a Skills-First Cybersecurity Workforce: Insights from CompTIA and Western Governors University
IT teams are feeling the pressure on multiple fronts: ever-changing security threats, emerging technologies like AI, reducing costs while maintaining service levels, and more. In some cases, that has led to a pronounced cybersecurity skills gap according to the 2025 State of Cybersecurity report recently published by CompTIA.
The solution to this gap is finding qualified candidates with foundational cybersecurity knowledge and evidence of their hands-on ability. We recently spoke with Mike Morris, Associate Dean and Senior Director of Cybersecurity Programs at Western Governors University (WGU), about how they are bridging the gap and equipping their graduates for real-world success.
WGU’s approach: scale, skills, and hands-on experience
WGU’s programs are designed to answer the industry's need for job-ready talent. With over 19,000 undergraduates and nearly 4,000 master’s students in their cybersecurity program, WGU has recognized that cybersecurity is now an IT discipline that stands on its own, and that it goes beyond just technology, incorporating policy and process as well.
Their “skills-first” curriculum allows them to respond rapidly to technological changes, while maintaining their core values:
- Competency-based education: Students progress by demonstrating mastery of concepts and skills, not just time in class.
- Integrated industry certifications: WGU maps courses to third-party industry certifications, such as CompTIA certifications. Students must earn these certifications to graduate, ensuring their knowledge meets current industry standards.
- Performance-based assessment: Going beyond standard multiple-choice tests, students engage in hands-on labs and real-world simulations throughout the program. They also have the opportunity to participate in virtual internships.
“When [students] walk out of WGU, they have a resume that has the degree, they have their certifications they've earned, they have their experiential learning that they've done on there… that combined packages them up pretty well to be competitive and in the current job market,” Morris said.
Meeting the needs of the industry
At WGU, aligning with industry needs and policy requirements is an ongoing commitment. Early on Morris created a board of directors for the cybersecurity program made up of experts from industry, government, and other influential groups. By staying in regular contact with them and using trusted industry research, he stays on top of shifting workforce demands and anticipates emerging skill requirements three to four years ahead.
As Morris says, “Industry, government all need individuals that can secure those environments, that have the skill sets - the demonstrated skill sets - to be able to walk into a job and do the job. And so that's really been the driver for us.”
This close connection to industry is matched by rigorous adherence to national and global standards. With approximately 35% to 40% of students coming from government or military backgrounds, WGU is deeply attuned to the expectations of public sector employers. As an ABET accredited and NSA-designated National Center of Academic Excellence (CAE), WGU’s cybersecurity programs can validate that their graduates have practical, job-ready experience and are prepared to step into the workforce and contribute from day one.
Ready to help your students fill the cybersecurity skills gap? Explore our Cyber Pathway today.