Competition trains job seekers in field of cybersecurity

Wilmington, DE – Addressing the increased demand for IT and cyber security professionals in Delaware and across the country, Governor Jack Markell today launched the Delaware Cyber Aces program, an online, cyber security education and training program. Delaware is one of 6 states hosting Cyber Aces, with over 6500 people having participated in the program nationwide.

“With every aspect of our society increasingly connected to the internet, cyber threats are one of the most serious economic and national security challenges we face,” said Governor Markell. “As more and more companies join governments in realizing the importance of quality cybersecurity professionals, it’s critical we provide an environment in which the next generation of IT experts can learn and gain job opportunities in this rapidly growing field.”

Designed to provide education and job skills training through a series of free, online tutorials and competitive assessments, the program is organized by the nonprofit group Cyber Aces.

“Similar to our shortage of fighter pilots at the start of World War II, now we have a critical shortage of skilled cyber defenders,” said Cyber Aces Founder Alan Paller. “And like the pilot training programs of that era, Cyber Aces initiatives are how we will identify or develop the specialists we need.”

The program is supported by a steering committee consisting of representatives several state agencies, including: Department of Technology and Information, Department of Labor, Department of Education, and Commission for Veteran’s Affairs; institutions of higher education, including: Delaware State University, Delaware Technical Community College, University of Delaware and Wilmington University; as well as several private employers.

Delaware Cyber Aces targets high school and college students, veterans and jobseekers in an effort to identify and develop top talent. All applicants are eligible for the first round competition, which consists of three training modules and corresponding testing. High scorers will continue to move through the training modules and eventually earn the right to compete in a statewide championship in March 2014.

“Delaware’s Cyber Aces State Championship helps to address the critical skills gap in the cyber arena,” said Delaware Chief Information Officer Jim Sills III. “Students, job seekers and veterans can learn new skills, compete for top honors, and the best performers may earn scholarships for elite training.”

Registration is free and open to all state residents at www.cyberaces.org.

Wilmington –  At Brandywine Hundred Fire Company, Governor Markell signed House Bill 21 and House Bill 22 today to protect volunteer emergency responders from employer discrimination or discipline stemming from their volunteer responsibilities.  The legislation, which stemmed from an incident in which a Delaware firefighter was fired by a private employer after sustaining burns to his hands while fighting a house fire, was sponsored by Representative Debra Heffernan (D-Brandywine Hundred South). Senator Harris McDowell (D- Wilmington North) was the lead Senate sponsor and a strong supporter of the bills.

“Our volunteer emergency responders are ready and willing to protect others each time a call for help comes in,” said Governor Markell. “This legislation provides them with a bit of protection in return, allowing them to focus their full attention towards ensuring the safety and well-being of those in need.”

Known as the Volunteer Emergency Responders Job Protection Act, HB 21 prevents an employer from firing or taking disciplinary action against an employee:

• who misses up to 7 days of work while responding to a Governor-declared state of emergency,
• who misses or up to 14 days of work while responding to a President-declared state of emergency;
• who is absent from work due to injury sustained when acting as a volunteer emergency responder.

HB 21 exempts essential state employees, members of the armed forces, members of the National Guard, hospital personnel and public utility workers.  It further provides that an employer may require a worker who misses work for the above reasons to provide proof of the emergency response or injury.

A second measure, HB 22, prohibits employers from discriminating in the hiring or discharging of any person because of that person’s membership in a volunteer emergency responder organization  (such as volunteer firefighters, volunteer EMTs and volunteer fire police, as well as ladies’ auxiliary members).

Rep. Heffernan worked with the Delaware Volunteer Firefighter’s Association and the Brandywine Hundred Fire Co. in crafting both pieces of legislation.

“We’re extremely fortunate to have friends and neighbors who volunteer as emergency responders throughout our state. They put their personal lives on hold and often put themselves at risk to protect us,” said Rep. Heffernan, D-Brandywine Hundred South. “Many of these volunteers that we rely on daily have full-time jobs in addition to being firefighters or EMTs, and those jobs enable them to volunteer on the side. We are taking reasonable steps to protect these emergency responders from employer discrimination while they are keeping us safe.”

Christiana Fire Company Chief Richard J. Perillo also played an integral role in the development of the legislation.

“The performance of firefighting and emergency medical services in Delaware comes at great personal risks to those involved. Greater risks are imposed to those that perform these duties in the volunteer capacity,” Mr. Perillo said. “These heroes save lives, improve the quality of life and educate the citizens and visitors within this great state, only to return to their places of full-time employment. In the minds of all these saviors is the ability to continue to serve and provide for a healthy and satisfying personal life. This legislation will ensure the personal security and longevity within volunteerism for the Delaware Fire Service; and these dedicated emergency responders can now rest assured that while they are providing for others, the law is providing for them.”

Efforts to improve our schools must focus on ensuring every student who comes through Delaware’s education system not only earns a high school diploma, but is also ready for his or her next steps after graduation. One of the most significant developments toward that goal is the transition to the Common Core State Standards, which were put together with broad input – including from teachers – to ensure that our students are gaining the
skills that they need to be ready for college and a career. This is a bipartisan effort, driven by states across the country, to raise the bar for our students without interference from federal mandates. It emphasizes the ability of our next generation of workers – your kids, our kids – to apply lessons learned in the classroom to real-world situations. And it’s won support from everybody from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to the National PTA, even the U.S. Army. But we’re only make Common Core work if we show Delawareans why it’s important and if we help our educators make the transition.

Part of our effort took place this week here at Silver Lake Elementary School, where I joined state legislators and school board members, who participated in math and language arts lessons to see what the practical impact is of these higher expectations.  Those who attended will help inform neighbors and colleagues and we’re working with the PTA to reach out to parents directly. Meanwhile, we’re offering districts the support and the resources to implement Common Core in ways that meet their needs, recognizing that individual schools and teachers know best how to help their students. By giving our students the best chance to make the most of their abilities, we’ll keep Delaware moving forward.

In his weekly message, filmed at Silver Lake Elementary School in Middletown, Governor Markell discusses the Common Core State Standards and their impact on student achievement in Delaware.

“This is a bipartisan effort, driven by states across the country, to raise the bar for our students without interference from federal mandates,” said Governor Markell. “It emphasizes the ability of our next generation of workers – your kids, our kids – to apply lessons learned in the classroom to real-world situations.”

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Transcript of Governor Markell’s Weekly Message: Raising the Bar for Student Success

Wilmington – This afternoon, Chief Justice Myron Steele informed the Governor that he intends to retire from the position of Chief Justice of the Delaware Supreme Court effective November 30, 2013.  In response, Governor Markell has issued the following statement:

“A judiciary is only as good as the men and women who serve in it, and quite simply, Chief Justice Steele is as good as they get. In addition to serving as Chief Justice, he has been a Superior Court judge, a Vice Chancellor on our Court of Chancery, and a member of the Supreme Court.  He has been a tireless and forceful advocate for our state’s judiciary and indeed, for the entire State of Delaware.   It is no secret that Delaware’s judiciary is the finest in the nation.  I want to thank Chief Justice Steele for his tireless efforts in building and maintaining a court system that is truly a national model.  On behalf of all Delawareans, I thank him for his exemplary service to our state. His intelligence, keen judgment, and passion will be missed.”

Prior to November 30, 2013, Governor Markell will request that the Judicial Nominating Commission begin the process of soliciting, reviewing, and recommending candidates to replace the Chief Justice.