The threat landscape for cybersecurity continues to intensify, with organizations across sectors facing escalating risks. In Q3 of 2024, cyberattacks surged by 75% compared to the same period in 2023, according to Check Point Research. Alarmingly, the education and research sectors experienced an average of 3,828 weekly attacks, fueled by increasingly sophisticated tactics, often leveraging artificial intelligence (AI).
Despite these growing threats, smaller organizations such as schools, nonprofits, and rural hospitals often struggle to secure professional cybersecurity support due to limited budgets and resources. A groundbreaking initiative, the Cyber Resilience Corps, aims to change this narrative.
Addressing the Cybersecurity Gap
Spearheaded by the University of California, Berkeley’s Center for Long-Term Cybersecurity and the CyberPeace Institute, the Cyber Resilience Corps is a volunteer-driven effort to bolster “community cyber resilience.” This initiative seeks to provide free cybersecurity assistance to public-interest organizations vulnerable to phishing, ransomware, and data breaches.
The program plans to launch a “cyber volunteer platform” designed to connect skilled cybersecurity professionals with at-risk organizations. It also promises a suite of resources to share best practices, collaborate, and respond effectively to cyber threats.
Why This Initiative Matters
The urgency of this program is underscored by the World Economic Forum’s Centre for Cybersecurity, which reports a global shortage of nearly 4 million cybersecurity professionals. This skills gap leaves many organizations unprotected, with nearly 90% experiencing a breach in the past year.
“Without affordable and accessible cybersecurity solutions, many organizations are left not knowing where to start,” the Cyber Resilience Corps explains on its website. The initiative is designed to bridge this gap, offering support that may otherwise be inaccessible to vulnerable groups.
Features of the Cyber Resilience Corps
The initiative aims to achieve several objectives:
- Collecting real-time data on cyber incidents, responses, and volunteer contributions to measure the impact of these efforts
- Providing tools and platforms for organizations to share resources and collaborate on solutions
- Establishing best practices and identifying service gaps to ensure comprehensive support
- Developing a long-term strategy for systematic cyber defense, slated for launch in 2025
- Hosting expert-led workshops to equip organizations with essential cybersecurity knowledge
A Growing Volunteer Network
The program has already mobilized thousands of volunteers and estimates that as many as 200,000 professionals remain untapped. Backed by Craig Newmark Philanthropies and partnering with organizations such as the Franklin Project and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, the initiative has ambitious plans to scale its efforts nationwide.
As cyber threats grow in frequency and sophistication, initiatives like the Cyber Resilience Corps represent a crucial step toward leveling the playing field for under-resourced organizations. By offering free expertise and fostering a collaborative approach to cybersecurity, this program not only protects vulnerable entities but also contributes to broader systemic resilience.