In response to a global cybersecurity workforce shortage, tech giant Microsoft has launched a training program that aims to fill 250,000 cybersecurity jobs by 2025.

The Microsoft Cybersecurity Skills Initiative features a cybersecurity curriculum that will be available at no cost to all public community colleges throughout the U.S.

The goal of the program is to ensure that a cybersecurity workforce is enhanced to prevent the growing number of cyber attacks on companies, including Microsoft, organizations and institutions that are occurring due, in part, to a lack of cybersecurity best practices. Reports suggest that there are an estimated 464,000 open cybersecurity jobs currently throughout the U.S.

The campaign, according to Microsoft, will attempt to fill some of that void while directing students into what are considered high-paying professions.

Additionally, the campaign will offer 25,000 scholarships and grant-funded faculty training. The campaign officially launched at the end of October 2021.