Google and George Mason University Collaborate to Train the Next Generation of Cyber Defenders in AI

The global shortage of cybersecurity talent is growing, with a projected shortfall of 3.4 million people by the end of 2023¹ . This demand is driven by the increasing sophistication of cyberthreats, the growing use of cloud computing, and the need for continuous training and education in the cybersecurity field.

To address this growing shortage, Google and George Mason University (Mason) are working together to provide students with access to Google Career Certificates and Google Cloud’s cutting-edge cybersecurity training. This partnership will give Mason students access to a suite of curriculum, including:

• Google Cybersecurity Certificate: Preparing for a career as a cybersecurity analyst with a professional certificate from Google. Learn job-ready skills that are in-demand, like how to identify common risks, threats, and vulnerabilities, as well as the techniques to mitigate them.  Once graduates complete the certificate, they'll have the opportunity to connect with 150 employers. Members of the Employer Consortium consider those who have earned Career Certificates for entry-level jobs.

• Google Cloud Security Engineer Learning Path: A Security Engineer develops, implements, and monitors their organization’s security infrastructure to protect sensitive information against cybercrime.

• Google Cloud Generative AI Learning Path: This learning path guides you through a curated collection of content on generative AI products and technologies, from the fundamentals of Large Language Models to how to create and deploy gen AI solutions on Google Cloud.

• Google Cloud Computing Foundations: On-demand courses introducing the fundamentals of Google Cloud.

“This partnership is a major step forward in our efforts to address the cybersecurity talent shortage,” said Brett Josephson, Associate Provost for Learning Initiatives and Executive Director of Continuing and Professional Education at George Mason University. “We’re excited for this opportunity to join forces with Google to help prepare the next generation of cybersecurity professionals while creating strong foundational skills in AI.”

The student training and certificates will be available to students in the George Mason University community. This partnership is a major step forward in Mason's efforts to address the cybersecurity talent shortage. With Google’s support, Mason students will have the opportunity to learn with hands-on labs and on-demand training to develop the skills they need to succeed in the field.

“As AI continues to transform the way we live and work, it is essential that we train the next generation of security professionals to defend against the ever-evolving threats posed by this technology,” said Katharyn White, Director of Marketing, Google Public Sector. “The partnership between Google Cloud and George Mason University is a critical step in this effort, and I am confident that this program will produce the highly skilled and experienced security professionals that our world needs."

The Google Career Certificates provide training to help students develop job-ready skills and earn a credential in the fields of cybersecurity, data analytics, digital marketing and e-commerce, IT support, project management and user experience (UX) design.

To learn more about Google’s workforce development initiatives, check out Grow with Google, Google Cloud Skills Boost, and Google Cloud for Faculty Programs.

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_{1. Security Intelligence (Source)}