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During his initial statements since becoming the National Cyber Director in December, Harry Coker stated that the White House plans to “reduce unnecessary barriers” that federal contractors have while trying to fill cybersecurity positions, such as the need for a bachelor’s degree.
At a gathering in the Community College of Baltimore County, he shared a simple yet powerful message: the world of cybersecurity jobs needs to open its doors wider.
To secure our nation’s cyberspace, we need to make cyber jobs more available and attainable for groups that traditionally haven’t been recruited.
My office is working with the Office of Management and Budget to reduce unnecessary barriers, like requiring four-year degrees, which are leaving out untold numbers of talented professionals.
So we’re tackling how the federal government can hire cyber talent quickly, bring in diverse talent, and remove barriers to working in cyber on federal contracts.
National Cyber Director Harry Coker (Source)
Skills over degrees
Coker pointed out that federal hiring practices, specifically the Federal Acquisition Regulation, rarely mandate four-year degrees for cybersecurity positions. This insight highlights an opportunity to focus more on practical skills and real-world experience.
The government is planning hiring sprints to quickly fill cybersecurity roles, focusing on competency rather than formal education, a strategy that aligns with the needs of the cybersecurity industry.
Supporting Changes with Legislation
The Office of Personnel Management is preparing legislative proposals to support this new approach. These proposals aim to provide equitable pay and more flexibility in hiring for cybersecurity positions, ensuring that the sector can attract and retain talent effectively.
Furthermore, the shift towards skills-based hiring, supported by standards and goals from OPM, reflects a commitment to acknowledging the real competencies needed in the cybersecurity field.
This strategy addresses the significant number of cyber job vacancies, over 500,000 in the last year, indicating a pressing demand for a more inclusive and effective approach to recruiting cybersecurity professionals.
A win-win situation
This shift signifies that cybersecurity professionals who want to work for federal contractors can now leverage their practical skills and experience to advance their careers, even without traditional degrees.
Measures like this can also assist other cybersecurity organizations fill vacancies faster and ease the industry’s talent shortfall by expanding their candidate pool.
What do you think about this new initiative? Share your thoughts in a comment below.
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Madalina, a seasoned digital content creator at Heimdal®, blends her passion for cybersecurity with an 8-year background in PR & CSR consultancy. Skilled in making complex cyber topics accessible, she bridges the gap between cyber experts and the wider audience with finesse.
