VIDEO: UT System + Google @ SXSW 2024
Chancellor James B. Milliken and Lisa Gevelber discuss U.S. cybersecurity and workforce challenges

AUSTIN, TEXAS – UT System Chancellor James B. Milliken and Grow with Google Founder Lisa Gevelber hosted a panel at SXSW 2024 discussing the threats of cybercrime in the U.S. and how business and higher education can work together to equip the workers needed to meet U.S cybersecurity demands.

Did you know?

  • By 2028, cyberattacks will have cost U.S. businesses $14 trillion in damages.
  • The total cost of cybercrime to U.S. small businesses reached $2.4 billion in 2021.
  • There are currently 650,000 unfilled cybersecurity jobs in the U.S.
  • Demand for U.S. jobs in cybersecurity is projected to increase 35% by 2031.

To learn more about this alarming workforce gap and steps that leaders in education and business can take to address it, view Chancellor Milliken and Lisa Gevelber’s full panel here and below.

UT System Chancellor James B. Milliken and Grow with Google Founder Lisa Gevelber during their SXSW panel, "10 Billion Reasons to Invest in Cybersecurity," on Saturday, March 9, 2024.

During the panel, various topics were discussed related to the workforce gaps in the field of cybersecurity and how the University of Texas System and Google have partnered to address those gaps, both in cybersecurity and in other emerging fields in demand of skilled workers. Among many topics included:

  • The problem and impact of cybercrime and cyber attacks
  • The investment that large employers are making to address cybercrime and the jobs that are needed to effectively address the threat
  • What educators and employers can do to equip the workers needed to fill workforce gaps in critical fields like cybersecurity
  • Overview of UT System’s Texas Credentials for the Future initiative and the work and goals of Grow With Google.

In concluding the discussion, Chancellor Milliken said: “Technology is one of the most effective ways that we will be able to align talent with opportunity and break down some of the traditional barriers - cost being one - to tap universal talent and get everyone the opportunity to meet their potential. That is what excites me about the work we are doing with Google and with Texas Credentials for the Future … to try and meet people where they are and provide the education and training they need.”

In December 2022, the UT System and Google launched Google Career Certificates across all UT academic institutions, marking Google’s largest university partnership to date. In less than two years, 650 UT students have completed Google certificates in fields of data analytics, project management, IT Support, e-commerce and digital marketing, automation in python and user experience (UX) design, giving them a competitive edge in their job searches upon graduation.

About The University of Texas System

With 14 institutions that enroll over 256,000 students overall, the UT System is the largest university system in Texas and one of the largest public university systems in the United States. UT institutions produced over 63,000 graduates last year and awarded more than one-third of the undergraduate degrees in Texas, as well as 60% of the state's medical degrees. The combined efforts of UT-owned and affiliated hospitals and clinics resulted in over 10.6 million outpatient visits and more than 2 million hospital days in 2023. UT’s $4.3 billion research enterprise is one of the nation’s most innovative, ranking No. 1 in Texas and No. 2 in the U.S. for federal research expenditures. With an operating budget of $29.1 billion for fiscal year 2024, UT institutions collectively employ more than 122,000 faculty, health care professionals, support staff and students.

News Contact Information

Catherine Frazier: cfrazier@utsystem.edu • 512-499-4360 (direct)