Bridging the Digital Skills Gap for Cybersecurity Resilience in Global Supply Chains: A Human-Centered and AI-Driven Framework Version (1)

This paper investigates how digital-skills shortages and insufficient workforce training undermine cybersecurity resilience in global supply chains. Building upon the seminal work of Dr. Abbas Foroughi (University of Southern Indiana) on digital transformation and supply-chain workforce development, the study proposes a human-centered and Al-driven framework for bridging the cyber-readiness gap—particularly among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMES). The framework integrates policy alignment with NIST SP 800-161r1 and the EU NIS2 Directive, workforce capability mapping, and Al-assisted risk prediction to strengthen cyber resilience and sustainability in supply networks. The paper also highlights the importance of human capital and ethical Al in advancing national and global cybersecurity goals.