Cybercrime is Accelerating: Preparing the Next Wave of Cybersecurity Experts

Cybercrime is accelerating as attackers harness AI to automate increasingly sophisticated schemes, a trend highlighted by a 2026 World Economic Forum survey. Seventy-seven percent of respondents report a rise in cyber-enabled fraud, and 73% say they or someone in their network has been affected. The Instructure Canvas LMS breach earlier this year exposed as many as 275 million users across roughly 9,000 institutions, including DeVry University. Forecasts warn ransomware could occur every two seconds by 2031, while the global cost of cybercrime is projected to hit about $13.82 trillion annually by 2028. The United States hosts about 1.34 million cybersecurity professionals but has more than 514,000 job openings, according to CyberSeek. DeVry University’s Cybersecurity Center of Excellence has partnered with industry to deliver hands-on, skills-based programs, three of which are NSA CAE designated. Dr. Jingdi Zeng emphasizes that entry-level learning must start earlier, in classrooms as well as in practical on-the-job experiences. DeVry’s curriculum focuses on practical cyber skills and exposure to emerging technologies, including AI, to prepare students for the evolving threat landscape.