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New TEDCO Study Outlines Steps for Developing Maryland’s Cybersecurity Workforce

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Findings include a misalignment of cybersecurity workforce supply and demand

COLUMBIA, Md., May 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — TEDCO, Maryland’s economic engine for technology companies, unveiled the recently completed “Cybersecurity Workforce Analysis and Study” (“Study”). The Study was commissioned by TEDCO to better understand the current status of Maryland’s cybersecurity workforce pipeline. This knowledge will be used to guide the Cyber Maryland Program (“Program”) and its 18-member board of directors as they develop a statewide cybersecurity workforce development strategic plan.

Study found that only 33% of the cybersecurity workforce demand is being met by the current workforce

“The Study confirms what businesses and government agencies in Maryland already know: demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals—who protect our communities from criminals threatening our way of life—is incredibly nuanced. Thankfully, there is support and momentum amongst key stakeholders to bridge our talent gap,” said Roger Austin, chair of the Cyber Maryland board of directors. “My fellow board members and I are committed to address this critical need by developing innovative solutions to overcome our cyber skills talent gaps and provide good, paying jobs for our state’s residents.”

The Study, performed by Lightcast, found that the epicenter for cybersecurity talent can be found in the National Capital Region, a region that consists of Maryland, the District of Columbia and Virginia. This region hosts the largest and most concentrated cybersecurity workforce nationwide; a large portion of this is contributed to the region being home to several federal government agencies. This prime location has also given rise to a large ecosystem of defense contractors, cybersecurity firms and technology companies, the Study notes.

However, despite this being an epicenter for talent, there are some issues. In particular, the Study notes that the development of talent is lagging behind the intense demand for cybersecurity workers. This lag places Maryland and the District of Columbia region seventh nationwide in the number of cyber-aligned graduates at the sub-bachelor’s degree level and tenth in bachelor’s degree completions. While this may not seem to be detrimental, it is resulting in a region-wide talent gap.

While talent gaps for cyber-aligned fields are felt in most states, the National Capital Region is feeling them the most. With the largest cybersecurity talent gap in the nation and more than 6,500 openings between December 2023 – January 2024 in Maryland and the District of Columbia alone, the Study found that only 33% of the cybersecurity workforce demand is being met by the current workforce. These positions are not only unfilled, but they’re unable to be filled with the current supply of talent in the region.

“As cybersecurity continues to grow as an essential part of every industry, the need for a strong and resilient workforce pipeline has become increasingly important,” said Alex Choi, executive director, government program development, affairs & research, TEDCO. “Together, with the Cyber Maryland board and ecosystem stakeholders, we look forward to ensuring that we are not only meeting the Cybersecurity workforce needs of today, but also building a nimble workforce pipeline infrastructure that can adapt to the needs of the future.”

In the coming months, the Program will convene a series of work sessions to strategize and build on the recommendations provided in the Study. The workgroups will delve deeper in topics including, expanding apprenticeships, internships and other work-learning opportunities, recommendations on skills-based hiring practices, evolving cybersecurity education and training and creating a wholistic, statewide approach to Maryland’s cyber workforce industry data. These recommendations, along with the findings of the Study, will be compiled into a strategic plan which will be operationalized to establish a nimble and sustainable workforce pipeline infrastructure.

The Program, established through legislation in 2023, seeks to address challenges in the state’s cybersecurity workforce development ecosystem by impacting current and future demand through the development of a workforce pipeline infrastructure. The Program serves as a ‘hub’ for cybersecurity related workforce development in the state, facilitating greater communication and fostering deeper relationships between employers, training/educational providers and the workforce. Through stakeholder engagement, industry data analysis, grantmaking and other initiatives, the Program helps identify and address current and emerging training and workforce needs in the ecosystem.

Read the study in its entirety by clicking here.

About TEDCO
TEDCO, the Maryland Technology Development Corporation, enhances economic empowerment growth through the fostering of an inclusive entrepreneurial innovation ecosystem. TEDCO identifies, invests in, and helps grow technology and life science-based companies in Maryland. Learn more at www.tedcomd.com.

Media Contact
Tammi Thomas, Chief Development & Marketing Officer, TEDCO, tthomas@tedcomd.com

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SOURCE TEDCO

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HKAGE Showcases Gifted Students’ Learning Journeys at InnoCarnival 2026

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Promoting “Technology for Good” Through Innovation and Creativity 

HONG KONG, Oct. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Hong Kong Academy for Gifted Education (HKAGE) has been invited to participate in InnoCarnival 2026, organised by the Innovation and Technology Commission. Under the theme “Technology for Good, Innovation for All”, HKAGE will showcase the learning journeys of gifted students who have completed programmes on AI robotic arms, underwater archaeology, etc., demonstrating how technology can be harnessed to address societal needs.

Having proactively aligned its work with the education development strategies of the Education Bureau (EDB), HKAGE fully supports the EDB’s Blueprint for Digital Education in Primary and Secondary Schools, which seeks to advance the digital transformation of school education in Hong Kong. Building on its Talent Development Model, HKAGE systematically develops programmes, provides diversified learning experiences and engages in cross-sector collaborations to nurture gifted talents equipped with innovative capabilities, technological literacy, and a strong sense of social responsibility. At the exhibition this year, HKAGE will present how students applied knowledge gained through gifted education programmes and learning experiences in areas such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, environmental science, underwater archaeology and sustainable development to design socially conscious solutions. These experiences reflect the students’ ability to serve society with knowledge and respond creatively to diverse challenges.

Among the highlights is the learning journey of students in the “Artificial Intelligence Course: Creative AI Robotic Arm for Inclusion”. After acquiring foundational knowledge in artificial intelligence, robotics and sensor applications, students designed, tested and refined intelligent robotic arm prototypes through real-time data analysis and algorithms. With the aim of improving the quality of life for the elderly and caregivers, students explored various application scenarios for intelligent robotic arms. Another showcase features the “Environmental Science Course: Bat Echoes – Voices of the Night”. Through acoustic monitoring, the exhibition demonstrates how students recorded bat voices and analysed related activity data and characteristics. The programme enabled students to gain a deeper understanding of local biodiversity and explore practical approaches to ecological conservation.

The HKAGE exhibition booth also features an interactive photo-taking device, allowing visitors to take photos with different gifted programme themes and share the joy of learning.

On the first day of the exhibition, a “Build Your Own Glider Parent-Child Workshop” is specially organised by HKAGE for the visitors. Under the guidance of instructors and assisted by HKAGE students, participants will learn the basic principles of aerodynamics, including lift, gravity, thrust and drag. They will also learn to design, assemble and decorate their own gliders by using lightweight and durable materials, experiencing the joy of science and engineering.

Mr WONG Chung Po, Acting Executive Director of HKAGE, said: “The Academy is committed to providing gifted students with diversified learning platforms and encouraging them to transform knowledge into innovative practices that generate positive social impact. Participation in this exhibition not only provides students with a valuable learning experience that helps consolidate the knowledge acquired in gifted programmes, but also enables the public to better understand how gifted education nurtures a new generation of creative and socially responsible talents to jointly advance the philosophy of ‘Technology for Good’.”

InnoCarnival 2026 – The Hong Kong Academy for Gifted Education

Date:

24 Oct – 1 Nov

Venue:

The Hong Kong Science Park

Booth:

C08-09

Time:

10:00 – 17:00 (Mon to Fri)

10:00 – 18:00 (Sat & Sun)

 

About the HKAGE

Established in 2008 and subvented by the Education Bureau, the HKAGE offers gifted education services actively to local primary and secondary school students to unleash their potential. It also provides gifted education-related information and support for teachers, parents, and other relevant stakeholders.

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SOURCE Hong Kong Academy for Gifted Education

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LEAP Group Relaunches HumanView, a Growth Intelligence System Built to Explain Why Customers Behave the Way They Do

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Reimagined from the ground up, HumanView pairs statistical modeling with expert analysts to turn millions of real-world customer signals into business decisions

LOUISVILLE, Ky., Oct. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — LEAP Group today announced the relaunch of HumanView, its growth intelligence service. The new version has been rebuilt from the ground up and now has a dedicated home at leapgroupnetwork.com/humanview.

HumanView analyzes what customers say and do across social platforms, e-commerce sites, review platforms, search behavior and user-generated content, including signals from Reddit, TikTok, YouTube, Meta, Amazon and Walmart+ that general AI tools cannot always access. Because the data reflects unprompted, real-world behavior, it avoids the response bias built into surveys and focus groups.

The service works in three layers. HumanView captures signals at scale, decodes millions of records through validated statistical models such as regression, correlation and clustering, and then relies on experienced analysts to interpret the patterns. Clients receive clear, human-validated insights instead of another dashboard.

“Machines find the patterns. Humans find the point,” said Alan Gilleo, CEO at LEAP Group. “The first version of HumanView showed us how much customers reveal when nobody is asking them questions. This version is built to explain why they act the way they do, and to put those answers in front of everyone making decisions, from product to service to marketing.”

HumanView focuses on three areas:

Growth Intelligence: customer motivations and how people perceive a brand and its competitors

Market and Category Intelligence: product pain points, service friction, unmet needs and competitive gaps

Audience Intelligence: new segments, positioning opportunities and gaps in the market

Every model is designed and validated by data scientists and benchmarked before it informs a recommendation.

To learn more about HumanView, visit leapgroupnetwork.com/humanview.

About LEAP Group
LEAP Group is a boutique marketing agency holding company with offices in Louisville, Indianapolis, Cincinnati and Chicago. Guided by the belief that brands should “Market Less. Matter More.,” LEAP gives clients access to specialized experts across its entire network. Learn more at leapgroupnetwork.com.

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SOURCE LEAP Group

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STEPHEN A. SMITH ADDRESSES WHITE HOUSE DINNER ATTENDANCE, REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO HBCUs AND PROTECTING CORPORATE INVESTMENT IN BLACK EDUCATION

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NEW YORK, Oct. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Stephen A. Smith, media mogul, New York Times bestselling author, and proud 1991 graduate of Winston-Salem State University, is addressing the public discussion surrounding his decision to attend a White House dinner with President Donald Trump, emphasizing his commitment to the long-term financial stability of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

For Smith, the decision was rooted in a commitment to institutions that have educated generations of Black leaders, professionals, entrepreneurs, and public servants.

“I will always advocate for HBCUs and the students whose futures depend on them,” Smith said. “My reason for attending the White House dinner was to discuss the challenges these institutions face in securing long-term funding and to make the case that corporate America must continue to invest in them.”

Smith acknowledged federal support through the FUTURE Act while expressing concern that political tensions surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) could discourage private companies from supporting HBCUs. He maintains that these institutions deserve sustained corporate partnerships, philanthropic contributions, and public investment.

“If we truly believe in free-market capitalism, businesses should be able to support educational institutions and charitable causes without fear of criticism or repercussions,” Smith said. “HBCUs have made extraordinary contributions to this country. They deserve sustained public and private investment.”

Ashley Christopher, Esq., Founder and CEO of the HBCU Week Foundation, recognized Smith’s advocacy and decision to engage with the administration.

“Stephen A. Smith has been a powerful advocate for HBCUs, using his platform and influence to shine a national spotlight on our institutions,” expressed Christopher, “His continued support of HBCU Week helps advance our mission of connecting students with life-changing educational opportunities, and we are proud to have him as our ambassador.”

Since Smith became an HBCU Week Ambassador in 2019, the initiative has facilitated more than 15,000 on-the-spot college acceptances and raised and awarded more than $150 million in scholarships, according to the HBCU Week Foundation.

As public discussion continues, Smith is emphasizing the importance of ensuring HBCUs have the resources and partnerships needed to educate future generations and expand opportunities for students.

CLICK HERE to watch Smith’s full response to his White House visit.

MEDIA CONTACT:

media@mrsasinc.com

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SOURCE Straight Shooter Media

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