Challenges in recruiting and retaining qualified IT staff because of ineffective federal planning and hiring processes continue to hinder the government’s ability to mitigate and respond to cyber threats.
In a statement before the House Subcommittee on Information Technology, Nick Marinos, the director of cybersecurity and information management issues for the Government Accountability Office, acknowledge the obstacles facing government cybersecurity thanks to a scarcity of IT experts nationwide and inadequate agency personnel management. He then identified ongoing activities that could help close the skills gap and assist agencies in developing, recruiting and retaining an effective cybersecurity workforce.
In the near term, the Office of Personnel Management has been advised to improve efforts to identify and compete with the private sector for top-level talent. Laws such as the Federal Cybersecurity Workforce Assessment Act of 2015 require agencies to define IT and cyber-related positions of greatest need, and the Office of Management and Budget has issued a strategy for addressing these workforce issues.
Taking the long view, a Department of Homeland Security-funded center has developed a kindergarten to 12th grade-level cyber track within science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) curriculum to increase awareness of and opportunities in IT education and career fields. Cybersecurity scholarships and the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Careers and Studies are offering assistance to government employees, students, educators and industry looking to foster resources, relationships, training opportunities and commitments to federal service.
Marinos has recognized some progress with these government initiatives, while noting the importance of proper implementation to assure government needs are met and systems are secured.
The entire report can be explored at GAO.gov.
