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Tech Disruptions, AI-Driven Revenue, and Wildfires: Why Hybrid Technical Skills Matter Now More Than Ever

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Hybrid technical skills, such as those used in GIS and urban planning, are increasingly in demand in the workplace.

On Feb 21, 2024, Change Healthcare—a main medical clearinghouse for United Healthcare Group—was hit by a ransomware attack that crippled electronic payments. Change Healthcare handled 15 billion dollars of claims annually. How did this attack happen? By exploiting a lack of industry-standard multifactor authentication on a legacy server, hackers took down a large chunk of United’s Healthcare system while compromising the health data of nearly 190 million Americans.

As a result, hospitals couldn’t process prescriptions or bills, forcing patients to pay out-of-pocket. This incident led to $100 million of daily losses for healthcare providers, supply-chain uncertainty, and an eventual federal investigation. The fallout exposed the shortage of cybersecurity professionals who can protect infrastructure while navigating the regulatory risks of healthcare data systems.

Old legacy systems were almost the downfall of online ticket vendor TickPick as well. In 2024, the company lost millions when its outdated fraud system blocked legitimate big-ticket purchases. For instance, someone buying high-value $20,000 Super Bowl tickets might be flagged as suspicious. As a fix, TickPick adopted Riskified’s “Adaptive Checkout.” This AI-powered fraud-detection system uses risk assessments to approve, decline, or flag transactions for verification. It helped TickPick recover three million dollars in revenue in only 90 days. The main point: online businesses require professionals who can strategically apply AI while balancing security, customer experience, and profit.

It’s not only healthcare and old legacy systems in need of employees with flexible, data-driven skills.

Fast forward to September 2024 and California’s Bridge Fire. This fire burned through 55,000 acres, threatening communities in San Bernardino County. Emergency crews used advanced GIS mapping tools to track fire spread, analyze terrain, and coordinate evacuations, saving both lives and property. As climate-driven disasters increase, the ability to interpret spatial data and translate it into actionable plans is more crucial than ever.

What Are Hybrid Technical Skills?

These three incidents, though seemingly disparate, highlight the increasing need for hybrid technical skills.

If you haven’t heard the phrase “hybrid technical skills,” the term originates from discussions in workforce development, education, and labor economics—especially since the early 2000s. The concept, a response to changing demands in the modern labor market, describes the fusion of technical (hard) skills and non-technical (soft) skills.

In short, hybrid technical skills comprise a blend of domain expertise (such as business, cybersecurity, and environmental science) with communication, digital literacy, and applied knowledge that cuts across industries.

People with these in-demand skills can understand the technology while speaking the language of strategy. For instance, if you’re a problem-solver with hybrid technical skills, you might not be coding AI models from scratch. But you know how to select the right tools, interpret data outputs, and apply them to diverse problems. You’re not solely a coder or an analyst—you’re an integrator, a translator. You know how to apply the right technology to solve the right problem.

For example, in the workplace, an employee with hybrid technical skills might be a

  • business analyst who can leverage AI models to optimize workflows
  • forester who can analyze GIS data to support conservation efforts
  • security professional who understands both network vulnerabilities and organizational risk
  • healthcare cybersecurity expert with compliance and regulatory knowledge

Workplace Demand for Those with Hybrid Technical Skills

To put it another way, hybrid technical professionals are the translators between advanced technologies and real-world impact. And you can tap into the demand for them, which is definitely soaring.

Cybersecurity professionals are equipped with hybrid technical skills.

MTU’s Newest Programs Help Fill the Hybrid Technical Skills Gap

Whether you want to defend digital infrastructure, leverage AI to drive smarter business decisions, or use GIS to protect natural resources, Michigan Technological University’s latest online graduate programs offer targeted, flexible pathways to equip you with hybrid technical skills for making that transition.

Why choose these programs?

  • Take 100% online programs designed for you, the working professional.
  • Learn from expert faculty with real-world experience.
  • Earn stackable credentials. Or choose to move on to an advanced degree.
  • You can apply for FREE and skip the GRE and GMAT.

Online MS in Cybersecurity

Cybercriminals are growing increasingly savvy and destructive. And cybercrime damages are expected to hit $10.5 trillion annually by the end of 2025. Therefore, adaptable cybersecurity professionals are in high demand across industries. Along with ransomware, cybersecurity professionals must be ready to battle Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs), Phishing and Social Engineering, Zero-day attacks, high-profile data breaches, DDoS attacks, and many other types of cyber crime. The changing nature of cyber threats also requires organizations to continually improve their defenses and adapt to new attack vectors.

Cybersecurity professionals work in defense, finance, government, healthcare, and manufacturing. With MTU’s online master’s degree in cybersecurity, you can prepare you for several roles, such as security analyst, risk manager, cyberoperations specialist, cybersecurity architect, cybersecurity manager, cybercrime analyst, and more. And in this program, you can also earn a certificate in the Foundations of Cybersecurity along the way.

Need more details? Want to take a closer look at this program? Attend our virtual information session on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025.

Online Graduate Certificate in Artificial Intelligence in Business and Information Systems

Artificial Intelligence is obviously not just for tech companies anymore. In business and information systems, AI can accelerate predictive analytics, identify patterns, trends, and correlations. All of these tasks can help businesses make detailed forecasts. Artificial Intelligence, then, adds “smart” capabilities. That is, instead of just collecting information, an AI-enhanced system can learn from data, spot patterns, and even make decisions or recommendations.

With Global Campus’s online certificate in AI in Business and Information Systems, you can bring advanced AI skills to decision-making, project management, and operations. This 3-course credential is ideal if you want to lead AI transformation projects, bridge business and technical teams, and advance into product and leadership roles. It also gives you the expertise to transition into careers, such as AI strategist, business intelligence analyst, or digital transformation lead. You can also apply these credits towards an Online Master of Business Administration.

Online Graduate Certificates in Advanced GIS and Remote Sensing

With climate change and land management in the spotlight, advanced GIS skills are becoming critical. To meet this demand, Global Campus previously rolled out the Online Foundations in Geographic Information Science Certificate in 2024. Joining it in 2025 are two new certificates for natural-resource professionals: Advanced GIS and Remote Sensing.

In the Advanced GIS certificate, you will master sophisticated GIS concepts and methodologies, which are central to analyzing large and complex datasets, automating routine geospatial workflows, and effectively managing geodatabases. You’ll also get exposure to designing, executing, and communicating comprehensive geospatial projects. Remote sensing, the process of collecting information from the Earth’s surface and atmosphere without making physical contact is the focus of the second certificate. As a GIS professional, you’ll need to combine remotely sensed data with ground-based research to provide timely, accurate, and spatially extensive information that allows them to plan, predict, model, and make decisions.

All these GIS certificates empower you with hybrid technical skills for addressing real-world challenges, delivering innovative solutions, and excelling in professional and industry-level geospatial roles. They give you career choices: preparing you for roles in environmental consulting, forestry and land use planning, and emergency management and disaster response.

Upskill for the Careers of Tomorrow—Starting Today

From ransomware attacks to wildfire mapping to AI-driven business strategy, the workforce is facing a major skills gap. And as a professional with hybrid technical skills, you could be there to fill it. Several organizations are seeking flexible employees who blend tech fluency, critical thinking, communication skills, and domain-specific expertise. They want employees who can connect digital tools to business goals, apply AI in strategic decision-making, interpret cyber threats through an operational lens, or leverage GIS systems for environmental analysis.

Whether you’re looking to switch careers or elevate your current role, Michigan Tech’s Global Campus gives you the tools to lead in a world defined by data, systems, and strategic decision-making. These previously mentioned programs, though, are more than credentials—they’re launchpads for meaningful, future-ready work. And don’t forget our other flagship program that prioritizes hybrid technical skills: the Online MS in Applied Statistics.

We’d love to connect with you and have a conversation about one of these programs. Global Campus has a committed, knowledgeable admissions manager, Amanda Irwin. Amanda is available to help you evaluate programs and to find the right fit for you. She’s also adept at answering tough questions and helping people navigate the application process.

And don’t forget: applying online is free. And you don’t require GRE or GMAT scores, either.

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Foundations of Cybersecurity: New Certificate From MTU.

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Michigan Tech is offering both a in-person and online certificate in the Foundations of Cybersecurity. In nine credits, students will learn how to identify and describe the foundational principles of securing both a computer system and a computer network. They’ll also study the fundamentals of secure software development and apply them effectively.

This credential addresses cyber crime, a costly and dangerous global problem.

Brief Case Study: The WannaCry Ransomware Attack

Flash backward to seven years ago.

In 2017, the WannaCry ransomware worm spread rapidly across computers running the Microsoft Windows operating system.

This worm first encrypted files and then demanded ransomware payments–first 300$ and then 600$ in bitcoins. Unfortunately, even those who paid the ransom, such as a friend of this writer, still lost their files.

Screenshot of the 2017 WannaCry Ransomware attack.
The WannaCry Attack. Image Credit: (https://cdn.securelist.com/files/2017/05/wannacry_05.png/)

How did this attack happen? The worm wriggled its way in through a vulnerability in Windows’ Server Message Block (SMBv1) protocol (EternalBlue), used for file and printer sharing on Windows networks. Then, it installed DoublePulsar as the “backdoor” on compromised computers.

The U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) had previously disclosed the Eternal Blue weakness. Then, a hacking group called the Shadow Brokers leaked it onto the web and cyber criminals took lurking in the shadows took notice. Within a few days, WannaCry affected at least 200,000 computers and 300,000 devices in more than 150 countries. The attack caused widespread disruption, particularly in critical sectors such as healthcare, telecommunications, and manufacturing. One of the most notable victims was the UK’s National Health Service (NHS), which canceled both appointments and operations, turning patients away.

Microsoft quickly released security patches for versions of Windows with the Eternal Blue vulnerability. However, it had actually sent security patches two months earlier, which hadn’t taken effect because many organizations hadn’t taken the time to update their systems. Oops!

Training in the Foundations of Cybersecurity is Needed Now More Than Ever.

This attack, then, not only underscored the importance of updating systems regularly to install timely security patches, but also the need to quickly implement protocols of backup and recovery. Even more so, WannaCry revealed the demand for more well-trained, cybersecurity professionals from government agencies, private sector companies, and other organizations who could collaborate on and react quickly to global cyber crime incidents.

Along with ransomware, cybersecurity professionals must be ready to battle Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs), Phishing and Social Engineering, Zero-day attacks, high-profile data breaches, DDoS attacks, and many other types of cyber crime. The changing nature of cyber threats also requires organizations to continually improve their defenses and adapt to new attack vectors.

And digital transformation, vehicle electrification, robotic workplaces, and Industry 4.0 pose new challenges as well. That is, as organizations move to cloud environments and the IoT (Internet of Things) continues to proliferate, cybersecurity professionals must safeguard infrastructures and predict possible vulnerabilities.

More troubling news: In the last decade or so, cyber attacks have grown in sophistication, frequency, and size. In fact, according to US News, “Data breaches and ID theft are still hitting records.” Recently, on July 4, while this blog was being drafted, Cybernews reported that a file containing 9,948,575,739 plain text passwords was posted on a hacker site by the user Obamacare. This file, known as the RockYou24 leak, was a compilation of passwords that were collected from 4000 databases over the last two decades. (Previously, the RockYou21 leak contained 8.5 billion of these same passwords.)

With these passwords, Cybernews explains that “threat actors could exploit the RockYou2024 password compilation to conduct brute-force attacks and gain unauthorized access to various online accounts used by individuals who employ passwords included in the dataset.”

Here are Some Other Startling Statistics About Cyber Crime:

The Cybersecurity Talent Gap is Expanding.

But perhaps one of the biggest challenge that cybersecurity professionals face is that there are not enough of them. That is, many organizations are struggling to fill critical positions. The global cybersecurity employment gap, which reached 4 million workers in 2023 (ISC2 2023), is expected to expand to 85 million by 2030.

The United States is one of those countries facing a shortage of cybersecurity professionals.

Interactive heatmap from cyberseek that provides information on cybersecurity jobs in the US.
This interactive heatmap by cyberseek provides both an overall and granular look into US cybersecurity jobs.

Between September 2022 and August 2023, 572,000 US jobs opened up in the cybersecurity industry. This number is up 74% from 2010.

And in the US, there were 1.18 million cybersecurity professionals employed between September 2022 and August 2023, which is also an an increase of 59% since 2010.

To help address this talent shortage, Michigan Tech is offering both online and in-person certificates in the Foundations of Cybersecurity, which start in Fall 2024. Students can complete this certificate or use the credits to dive deeper into cybersecurity and progress towards a master’s degree. They can choose from either Michigan Tech’s MS in Cybersecurity or the MS in Computer Science.

To be eligible for the program, applicants must have earned an undergraduate degree in computer science, computer engineering, or software engineering. The online application is free and requires no GMAT or GRE.

This certificate adds to the roster of MTU’s already respected cybersecurity research program, recognized nationally for its academic and research excellence. In fact, the US National Security Agency designated MTU as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Research (CAE-R). This CAE-R designation, establishing that Michigan Tech has met the rigorous requirements set forth by the NSA, extends through the 2029 academic year.

The Future Looks Bright for Those with Skills in the Foundations of Cybersecurity.

When it comes to cybersecurity professionals, there are several possible career paths.

Take the career of Information Security Analyst, for instance. A person in this role will have several responsibilities. They must use and maintain software, such as firewalls and data encryption programs, to protect sensitive information. In addition, they must check for vulnerabilities in computer and network systems; research the latest information technology (IT) security trends; and prepare reports that document general metrics, attempted attacks, and security breaches.

Being vigilant and proactive are also essential traits of this cybersecurity professional as they strive to develop security standards and best practices for their organization and timely recommend security enhancements. And they are also heavily involved with creating their organization’s disaster recovery plan, which IT employees must follow in case of emergency.

Because of the importance of these tasks, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a need for several tens of thousands of these analysts, with a career growth of 32% (much faster than average.) And these jobs way well, too: the 2023 median salary of an information security analyst was $120,360.

Other Top-Paying Cybersecurity Jobs

  • Cybersecurity Analyst: $114,306
  • Cybersecurity Manager: $150,943 per year
  • Penetration and Vulnerability Tester: $124,424
  • Cybersecurity Architect: $147,142 per year
  • Cybersecurity Engineer: $131,768
  • Incident and Intrusion Analyst: $103,639
  • Cybersecurity Consultant: $124,275
  • Cyber Crime Analyst: $103,198
The US government employs several professionals trained in the foundations of cybersecurity.
The US government, which employs 11,000 cybersecurity professionals, advertised for 6000 jobs in 2023.

Educate Yourself to Meet the Growing Need for Cybersecurity Professionals.

The estimated loss of that 2017 WannaCry incident was about four billion dollars. That bill was just a drop in the bucket.

According to Cybersecurity Ventures, cyber crime is expected to grow by 15% a year in the next three years. What this prediction means is that cyber crime will cost the world $10.5 trillion annually by 2025. This figure includes damage and destruction of data, stolen money, lost productivity, theft of intellectual property, and other costs.

Professionals with training in the foundations of cybersecurity can not only save organizations a lot of money, then, but even save lives.

Yes lives. When a 2020 ransomware attack on Dusseldorf University Hospital (Germany) caused its IT systems to fail (30 servers!), the hospital could not admit emergency patients. As a result, staff directed a critically ill woman who needed immediate care to another hospital about 20 miles away. This delay in treatment, which contributed to the patient’s death, is often cited as the first death resulting from a cyber attack.

It is obvious that the costs of cybercrime , which are immense, multifaceted, and global, impact economies, organizations, and individuals. Because of these costs, cybersecurity professionals are needed across every sector and industry. But there is a particularly urgent need for them in financial services, health care, government, national security, manufacturing, and retail.

And the growing sophistication of cyber threats and the increasing reliance on digital technologies suggest that these costs will continue to rise, highlighting the crucial demands for both robust cybersecurity measures and the highly skilled and trained professionals to enact them.

Get Started on Your Foundations of Cybersecurity Certificate at MTU.

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Powering the World

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“It’s an unstable system, but we’re bringing stability to it,” so confirmed Glen E. Archer, Teaching Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Michigan Technological University. While making this statement, Archer is standing in EERC 134, or the Smart Grid Operations Center. In this sophisticated classroom, students attack such topics as interoperability, energy management and emergency control, and system protection; as well as monitoring the connections into MTU’s Energy Management System and the regional grid. And so, so much more. It is, from my starry-eyed perspective, a very cool room.

At this point, the Michigan Tech Global Campus team has been touring the Electrical Engineering Resources Center (EERC) and picking Archer’s brain for the last hour. This room is the last stop on our educational tour.

As he speaks, my attention is divided between the brilliant, glowing grid on the wall and the energy and experience of Archer. He clearly has a passion for the important work and research that transpires in MTU’s electrical engineering classrooms and laboratories. And even more of a passion for electrical power engineering itself.

Which brings me, once again, to his earlier comment. He had mentioned that power engineering jobs might not seem particularly trendy, but those employed in this field have very important work to do. And much of this work is done behind the scenes. “Maybe the humble, unsung heroes of the engineering world,” I suggested. He didn’t comment, but smiled.

Power Engineers: Working Wherever the World Needs Them

Electric power engineering, a subfield of electrical engineering, is dedicated to all things electric power: from its generation, transmission, distribution, conversion, utilization, and management. The electrical apparatus and components associated with these systems, both large and small (wiring, cables, circuit breakers, fuses, switches, converters, vehicle drives, and so on), also fall under power engineering. Depending on their specialty and educational pathway, electric power engineers may work with electric power systems, power stations, solar voltaic cells, wind turbines, and electrical grids.

Electric power engineering may also go by other names, such as power engineering, power system engineering, power management, and power systems management. Its engineers are found wherever people and organizations need power, energy storage, renewables, and intermittent power sources.

Some Electric Power Engineering Workplaces

  • Utility companies
  • Manufacturing plants
  • Engineering Firms
  • Infrastructure related to the oil and gas industry
  • Other industries
  • Airports
  • Hospitals
  • Residential complexes
  • Schools
Industrial Power Plant

Filling a Shortage of Electric Power Engineers

Although they may not outwardly seem flashy, careers in electric power engineering have the advantage of being both flexible and mobile. Or to put it another way, the knowledge and competencies that power engineers acquire on one job may be transferred to another. This versatility means significant career choice and mobility, both within and between organizations as well as in workplaces throughout the world.

That is, as more countries transition to renewable energy sources and advanced technologies and invest in more infrastructure, the global demand for electric power engineers will likely increase. Some experts even believe that there is a definite shortage right now.

According to a summary of the Global Energy Talent Index Report, “power companies everywhere are struggling to balance talent shortages with changing skills.” The writers continue to say that there is a “looming skills shortage of engineers in the power, nuclear, and renewables sectors.”

What does this shortage look like? The GETI document confirms that as many as 48% of power professionals are concerned about an upcoming skills crisis whereas 32% believe the crisis has already hit the sector. 28% contend that their company has been affected by a skills shortage.

There are three main causes of this crisis: massive retirements, an aging workforce that requires upskilling, and a need for more workers with training in new power electric technologies. The report states that 13% of power workers are 55 years and older whereas 17% are between 45 and 54.

Confronting Upcoming Challenges

In short, both United States and the world need power engineers to not only fill these gaps but also address present and upcoming challenges.

In this nation, one of the biggest issues facing American engineers is contending with an outdated American grid in need of both repair and replacement. This aging grid can cause reliability problems, power shortages, and other complications. However, electric power engineers face other challenges, which affect the United States and beyond.

Improving Energy Storage

A photovoltaic system, otherwise known as a solar panel array.

Increasing the capacity and efficiency of energy storage systems is one key concern. To enable the widespread adoption of renewable energy sources, electric power engineers must develop better and more cost-effective energy storage solutions.

There is a need to improve the performance and efficiency of battery technology, which is essential for the large-scale energy storage. The excess electricity generated by renewable sources can then be used to help meet peak demand or provide back-up power during outages.

Increasing Grid Reliability

As electric grids integrate with more renewable sources (such as wind and power), power engineers must ensure grid stability and reliability. They must also develop solutions for reducing grid congestion. And create strategies for maintaining system stability and resilience in the face of climate change, extreme weather events, cyber-attacks, and other potential threats.

In fact, right here at Michigan Tech, Dr. Chee-Wooi Ten (Electrical and Computer Engineering), has spearheaded an impressive, interdisciplinary research team since 2010. This group contains members from the fields of statistics, business, engineering, and computer science. Its goals are advancing power engineering and developing strategies for improving power grid cybersecurity, grid reliability, interdependence, and sustainability.

Integrating Smart Technologies

Smart technologies are helping to make electricity consumption more efficient. For instance, smart meters allow utility companies to track and measure electricity consumption in real-time. They also enable consumers to monitor and adjust their own energy usage. Automated demand response systems can also reduce or increase electricity consumption according to fluctuations in the grid. And then there are advanced distribution management systems for utility companies to monitor and manage their electric grid in real-time. These can detect outages, schedule maintenance, and react to changing electricity demand.

There is a need for power engineers to understand these technologies and develop ways to integrate new smart systems into the existing grid. These strategies might include implementing communication protocols, creating intelligent control systems, and developing cybersecurity policies.

Ensuring Cybersecurity

Cyberattacks on the grid are not just the stuff of movies. For instance, in 2022, Russian cyber-hackers targeted Ukraine’s power grid. And in 2016, hackers chose a Florida power utility as their mark. The result: pumps ran continuously, causing not only waste but also physical damage. And since 2018, the US has been fending off Russian cyber-attacks on critical infrastructure.

Cyberattacks on electrical grids, then, can cause major disruptions and blackouts. It is obvious that one of the responsibilities of power engineers is improving the cybersecurity of the grid. This task is also one of the main objectives of Dr. Chee-Wooi Ten’s CIResilience team.

Addressing Environmental Concerns

Power plants, especially coal-fired ones, generate substantial emissions. And the cooling and operation of these plants require sizeable amounts of water. In fact, the power sector is the largest industrial power user. Therefore, a main engineering challenge is lessening the environmental impact of electric power systems, including reducing emissions and water consumption, improving efficiency, and minimizing waste.

Pursuing Electric Power Engineering at Michigan Tech

In short, as the world’s population continues to grow, the demand for electricity will increase significantly. Additionally, global citizens are requesting more sustainable and environmentally friendly energy infrastructure. Engineers may answer these calls by developing renewable energy sources and technologies as well as reducing electricity consumption and improving power efficiency.

If you’re up for these (and other) challenges, Michigan Tech offers several educational routes in electrical power engineering. For instance, there is a 13-credit undergraduate certificate in Electric Power Engineering and a 15-credit Graduate Certificate in Advanced Electric Power Engineering. Both of these certificates have been designed with consultation from experts from electric utilities and industry. In other words, students receive the knowledge, skills, and aptitudes that working electric power professionals regularly apply in their careers.

And, of course, there is the 30-credit MS in Electrical and Computer Engineering, with a Focus in Power Systems.

Whatever your preferred educational or career path in power engineering, Michigan Tech can help you get started.

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