EVALUATING A FOUNDATIONAL PROGRAM FOR CYBERSECURITY EDUCATION: A PILOT STUDY OF A 'CYBER BRIDGE' INITIATIVE

The escalating demand for cybersecurity professionals significantly outpaces the supply of qualified talent, creating a critical skills gap in the global workforce. Traditional educational pathways often require extensive computer science backgrounds, limiting access for individuals from diverse academic disciplines. To address this, specialized "bridge" programs have emerged, designed to equip non-traditional candidates with foundational knowledge necessary to pursue advanced cybersecurity studies or careers. This article presents a pilot evaluation of one such 'Cyber Bridge' initiative, examining its effectiveness in preparing participants from varied academic backgrounds for entry into the cybersecurity field. Through a mixed-methods approach involving pre-and post-assessments, participant surveys, and tracking of progression outcomes, the study evaluated the program's impact on foundational cybersecurity knowledge, technical skill acquisition, and perceived career readiness. Preliminary results indicate significant improvements in participants' understanding of core cybersecurity concepts and practical abilities, along with high levels of satisfaction and successful transitions to advanced programs or relevant employment. While acknowledging the pilot nature and scale, the findings underscore the vital role of 'cyber bridge' programs in diversifying and expanding the cybersecurity talent pipeline, offering a viable model for workforce development.