TLDR:

U.S. federal agencies are struggling to recruit cyber talent despite efforts to attract a diverse skill set, such as removing the educational barrier of requiring a four-year degree. The cyber workforce gap persists, with experts estimating over 500,000 positions need to be filled. There is a national cyber workforce strategy in place to address these needs, focusing on skills-based hiring, talent development, and expanding cyber learning opportunities. Some agencies have seen success with workforce education programs like the NSA’s National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity.

U.S. Federal Agencies Still Struggle to Recruit Cyber Talent

U.S. federal agencies are facing challenges in recruiting and retaining qualified cybersecurity professionals, despite ongoing initiatives to attract diverse candidates to the workforce. Efforts have been made to harmonize job requirements and remove educational barriers, but the cyber workforce gap remains a significant issue.

Key Points:

• U.S. agencies are finding it difficult to recruit and retain cyber talent.
• There is a national cyber workforce strategy in place to address the shortage.

While the White House has released a national cyber workforce strategy to enhance recruitment efforts, agencies are still struggling to fill the over 500,000 estimated positions needed to ensure national security. The focus is on skills-based hiring, talent development, and expanding cyber learning opportunities. Successful programs at agencies like the NSA serve as models for cybersecurity education and workforce development.

Overall, the challenges facing U.S. federal agencies in recruiting cyber talent are numerous, and despite efforts to address the workforce gap, more work needs to be done to secure the nation’s critical infrastructure and information systems.