The public sector, long thought to be at the forefront of virtual security, is constantly protecting itself against hackers and online security challenges. And a lack of skilled talent in the cybersecurity workforce may soon leave the federal government susceptible to cyber attacks. However, former service members with online defense training can fill these positions and help protect the federal government and workforce from hackers.
A recent report from the Partnership for Public Service (PPS) and Booz Allen Hamilton -- a strategy and technology consulting firm -- found that the federal cybersecurity workforce will erode because of fragmented governance and uncoordinated leadership, a complicated federal hiring process, a disconnect between hiring managers and the government's human resource specialists, and, more importantly, a lack of qualified and skilled talent to fill these jobs.
The PPS and Booz Allen Hamilton survey of information technology (IT) managers and chief information officers revealed that only 40% of participants were satisfied with the quality of applicants applying for federal cybersecurity jobs, and only 30% were satisfied with the quality of the candidates who applied for the same positions. What's more, the PPS reports that there are concerns that America is not developing enough IT experts, which will create a labor shortage in the IT field for both the public and private sector.
"It's now clear that this cyber threat is one of the most serious economic and national security challenges we face as a nation," President Barack Obama said in the PPS report. "It's also clear that we're not as prepared as we should be as a government or country."
Defense Secretary Robert Gates echoed the president's urgency in hiring qualified talent by stating that the Pentagon is "desperately short of people who have capabilities [defense and offensive cybersecurity war skills] in all the services."
The government is currently looking to fill these gaps in this field and often turns to private contractors. In fact, the Department of Homeland Security estimates that 83% of the staff in the office of its chief information officer are private contractors.
But the federal government is recruiting and training cybersecurity professionals and veterans with the proper IT background and security training, who are perfect candidates for these positions.
If you have what it takes to be a cybersecurity specialist with the federal government, visit Military.com's Security Clearance channel to get more information or visit USAJobs.gov to apply.
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