Since November 2016, defense of the cyber-enabled parts of our election system has yo-yo’d as a topic of concern with most major news organizations, across print, television and online publications. Defense often stars at the center of most discussions about cybersecurity, but this presumes a one-dimensional discussion is the only one to be had. Cybersecurity is a much more nuanced topic and this characterization misses how the topic affects everyday Americans.  

Cybersecurity presents a unique convergence of national security, homeland security, and economic opportunity where policy makers (and candidates) could further agendas around job creation, opportunity, innovation, national security, and foreign affairs all in the span of a couple of sentences. But few seem to do so, preferring to use fear to move voters’ opinions. There is no need, however, to fear the future or to fear change. Where some only see peril, there is the option of also seeing opportunity if we face these challenges together.  

Economic opportunity is an important place to start. Cybersecurity jobs are not tied to a specific location and are necessary wherever company networks might reside or at network access points across the country. In part, this means that they need not be centralized in cities like New York, Chicago or Washington, DC, or linked to other immobile geographic features. Rather they can provide high paying jobs in smaller cities and towns like Des Moines, Tuscaloosa, or Amarillo or even in rural areas with sufficient infrastructure. Further, the skills are highly portable and not necessarily company specific; so in the event of a business shuttering, a job seeker’s prospects can remain bright.