The need to defend against IT threats is continually hampered by a persistent shortage in public sector cyber hires. This issue led the Office of Management and Budget to release its first-ever Federal Cybersecurity Workforce Strategy earlier this year.
As part of the Cybersecurity National Action Plan, OMB’s workforce strategy puts forth details on programs that will standardize and expand cybersecurity curriculum with academic parties, clarify terminology for job seekers and recruiters, provide job search tools, and enhance training opportunities for existing talent.
The Office of Personnel Management is working in conjunction to increase awareness of and facilitate the process of agency hiring, according to Veronica Villalobos, principal deputy associate director for employee services at OPM. The agency is reviewing background check/security clearance best practices to maximize flexibility and expediency for cyber professionals looking to explore agency positions.
Agencies looking for resources can currently join the Cybersecurity Human Resources Cadre, which offers technical assistance courses, such as the Cybersecurity Recruitment Roadmap Webinar. They will also be alerted when OPM holds a governmentwide orientation for all recent cybersecurity hires to introduce networking and training opportunities available.
OPM's objective is to mitigate the challenges agencies have in attracting and maintaining experts to protect critical systems and data infrastructure.
