TekStream’s Commitment to Addressing the Cybersecurity Talent Crisis Recently, TekStream announced its continued dedication to addressing the cybersecurity talent crisis by sponsoring the NASCIO 2025 Midyear Conference. This conference supports the mission of the non-profit organization Level Up Philly, which aims to bridge the digital divide in Philadelphia by investing in community technology skills. TekStream’s CEO, Rob Jansen, emphasized the importance of this sponsorship, noting that 25% of the sponsorship fees will be donated to Level Up Philly. He highlighted the alignment between Level Up Philly's focus on providing STEM education and digital resources to underprivileged communities and TekStream’s "Whole-of-State" approach to nurturing the next generation of cybersecurity engineers. TekStream’s “Whole-of-State” framework, initiated in 2023 through a public-private collaboration with Louisiana State University (LSU), Splunk, and AWS, combines workforce development with a flexible cost-deferred investment model. This innovative approach helps public sector organizations maintain long-term control over their projects. CISOs and CIOs can leverage this framework to upskill employees or community members, or utilize student interns to co-manage shared Security Operations Centers (SOCs). Trainees receive hands-on experience working alongside TekStream professionals to detect, respond to, and recover from potential cyber threats. At LSU, the framework has been operational since 2023, successfully equipping students with mid-level cybersecurity engineer skills upon graduation. The inclusion of detailed activity and event completion dashboards has accelerated job placement rates for graduates. As AI technology evolves, the demand for entry-level cybersecurity positions is declining, making advanced skill development crucial. TekStream’s EVP, Judd Robins, underscored the necessity for public institutions to address talent shortages to effectively protect assets against growing cyber attacks. He argued that financial investments alone are insufficient to meet the security needs, and programs like those provided by TekStream and Level Up Philly are essential. The core principle of TekStream’s framework is "solidarity." By utilizing AWS and Splunk to establish multi-tenant SOC infrastructure, public entities can enhance their security posture and benefit from shared intelligence. This model significantly reduces traditional burdens related to costs and talent acquisition. As the skills of trainees improve, TekStream's involvement becomes less intensive and more cost-effective, offering an efficient pathway for public sector organizations to boost their security operations capabilities. Given the rising number of cyber attacks, the demand for skilled personnel in the public sector is increasing. TekStream’s framework has emerged as a feasible and cost-efficient solution to this challenge. Initially conceptualized at LSU, the model has now been adopted by 40 organizations nationwide. It has gained industry recognition, winning three Cybersecurity Excellence Awards and being featured in the 2025 Gartner® Market Guide for Jointly Managed Security Monitoring Services. Industry insiders commend TekStream’s "Whole-of-State" framework for effectively tackling the talent shortage and providing sustainable cybersecurity solutions. They attribute its success to the unique public-private partnership model and efficient talent development strategies. TekStream, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, is committed to helping clients accelerate their digital transformation through technical expertise and comprehensive personnel solutions. The company boasts a high client retention rate of 98% and provides detailed information about the innovative framework on its official website at www.tekstream.com/whole-of-state. Attendees of the conference can visit the TekStream-sponsored coffee bar to enjoy beverages and engage with team members. AttackIQ Launches Academy Enterprise for Quantifiable Training Impact Leading Adversarial Exposure Validation (AEV) solution provider AttackIQ recently introduced Academy Enterprise, a new reporting feature designed to offer quantitative assessments of training impacts for security teams. This feature enables team leaders to gain a clear understanding of individual training progress and identify skill gaps and training effectiveness. Academy Enterprise provides interactive dashboards and detailed reports, allowing managers to pinpoint strengths and weaknesses within their teams. This data-driven approach ensures security leaders can make informed decisions to better prepare their teams for real-world threats, moving beyond theoretical knowledge. Keith Wilson, AttackIQ’s Director of Cybersecurity Education, stated that cybersecurity readiness starts with education and training. However, he added that leadership must understand what has been learned and where improvements are needed. Academy Enterprise offers the insights required to fill these skill gaps, focusing training efforts where they are most needed and building a stronger cybersecurity defense. Currently, over 70,000 students from 192 countries have registered with AttackIQ Academy, making it a significant resource for individuals seeking to enhance their cybersecurity skills. Carl Wright, Chief Commercial Officer, noted that cybersecurity leaders can now manage, understand, and measure employee learning efforts more effectively based on actual business situations. AttackIQ Academy’s courses range from basic to advanced levels, taught by top cybersecurity experts. Topics covered include the operationalization of the MITRE ATT&CK framework, integration of NIST 800-53 risk and threat management, purple team testing, and breach and attack simulation. Jon Baker, Director of the MITRE Center for Threat-Informed Defense, expressed support for AttackIQ’s initiative. He pointed out that the center publishes extensive free resources to help organizations improve their network defense efficiency and effectiveness. According to Baker, publications are only the first step, and partnerships like the one with AttackIQ are crucial for translating research into practical applications. AttackIQ’s Academy training has impacted thousands of users globally, contributing to the broader goal of enhancing cybersecurity. In addition to Academy Enterprise, AttackIQ also supports its Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP) partners through the Flexible Preactive Partner Program, offering ready-to-use solutions to elevate client security. The company is committed to giving back to the cybersecurity community, providing award-winning training courses free of charge and engaging in research collaborations with the MITRE Center for Threat-Informed Defense. Industry experts view AttackIQ’s move as a significant advancement in internal training efficacy and overall progress within the cybersecurity field. Since its inception, AttackIQ has focused on validating the effectiveness of security controls by simulating real-world attacks, helping organizations identify and remediate vulnerabilities. As a leader in AEV, AttackIQ’s platform aligns with Continuous Threat Exposure Management (CTEM) frameworks, providing structured, risk-based continual security assessment and improvement methods. The company’s mission extends beyond tool and technology provision; it includes a commitment to education and collaboration to create a safer internet environment. Further details about Academy Enterprise can be found on AttackIQ’s official website. Overall, both TekStream and AttackIQ are making notable contributions to the cybersecurity landscape by developing and implementing effective training and partnership models. These initiatives not only address immediate talent shortages but also foster long-term resilience and innovation in the public and private sectors.