The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Thursday introduced that it has employed almost three hundred cybersecurity specialists over the route of the closing months.

The onboarding of latest expertise became a part of the Cybersecurity Workforce Sprint initiative, and surpassed with the aid of using 50% the hiring intention that Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas introduced in May: 2 hundred new personnel with the aid of using July 1.

In addition to pronouncing the achievement of the initiative, Mayorkas on Thursday introduced the extension of the Cybersecurity Workforce Sprint with a further 500 tentative process offers.

“DHS is devoted to making sure its staff represents the various groups it serves. To this end, the Cybersecurity Workforce Sprint is grounded in diversity, equity, and inclusion satisfactory practices and consists of centered outreach to underserved groups and groups of color,” the DHS introduced.

An Honors Program that Mayorkas will announce this month will see the release of a one-12 months expert improvement application aimed toward current graduates with levels in cybersecurity-associated fields. Those who efficiently whole this system might also additionally get permanent, full-time cybersecurity positions at DHS.

The branch additionally introduced that the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is increasing its K-12 initiative, and that, withinside the coming weeks, the DHS additionally plans the release of a cybersecurity initiative for women in grades 6-12.

“The Department’s 60-day Cybersecurity Workforce Sprint has enabled DHS to fill 12 percentage of our greater than 2,000 cybersecurity vacancies at some stage in a time whilst our us of a is going through splendid cyber threats. While I am happy with the development we’ve made to date, we nevertheless have greater paintings to do,” Mayorkas said.