The cybersecurity talent gap isn’t a people problem, it’s a pipeline problem. Organizations are still running a hiring playbook built for a smaller, simpler era: rigid degree requirements, narrow certification checklists, and experience catch-22s that filter out motivated, capable people before they ever reach a hiring manager.

As AI transforms cybersecurity, technology alone is no longer the differentiator. Human judgment, governance, and strategic leadership are. This article explores why organizations must move beyond “human in the loop” to embrace a “human in the lead” approach that keeps people accountable for defining mission, risk, and resilience.

Cybersecurity workforce development starts long before college. This article explores how Indiana’s first-of-its-kind high school cybersecurity pathway is creating earlier, more accessible entry points into the profession and offers a model that workforce leaders across the country can learn from.