An Update to the National Cyber Workforce and Education Strategy
The National Cyber Workforce and Education Strategy (NCWES), which began on July 31, 2023, is a comprehensive attempt to address the significant lack of cyber workers in the United States. This strategy, as detailed in the beginning stages of implementation report on June 25, 2024, is intended to build a skills-based digital future, ensuring that workers have access to meaningful, well-paying jobs in their communities. The paper emphasizes the importance of increasing the appeal of cyber occupations, shifting to skills-based recruiting and talent development, and cultivating cyber workforce and education ecosystems across the country.
The federal government plays a critical role in this all-encompassing strategy. The White House Office of the National Cyber Director (ONCD), in partnership with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), is driving efforts to improve the government cyber workforce by lowering obstacles and streamlining hiring processes. This strategy is backed by private-sector commitments to educate, hire, and train the expanding cyber workforce. The plan emphasizes the importance of collaboration among industry, educational institutions, training providers, community organizations, philanthropies, and all levels of government in order to achieve significant progress.
The NCWES is notable for its emphasis on moving to skills-based recruiting methods. The Biden-Harris administration is revamping the government recruiting process by transitioning the Information Technology (IT) Management series to skills-based hiring principles. This change is estimated to affect almost 100,000 current government employees and includes the usage of Registered Apprenticeship programs. Additionally, efforts are being made to enact Section 39.104 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation, which discourages minimum experience or educational requirements for IT services.
The paper also discusses the several federal programs that highlight the necessity of cyber workforce development. The National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C), CyberCorps®: Scholarship for Service (SFS), and Cybersecurity Education and Training Assistance Program (CETAP) all provide critical support for cyber education and workforce development. Initiatives like the Federal Cyber Defense Skilling Academy and the Neurodiverse Federal Workforce Initiative are designed to provide specialized training and support to a variety of groups, including neurodiverse individuals.
Collaboration is a prominent element throughout the NCWES. The paper stresses the establishment of cyber workforce and education ecosystems that bring stakeholders together around a shared goal for education and workforce development. Successful examples of such ecosystems are highlighted, demonstrating different structures and tactics that efficiently handle local requirements and challenges. Over 100 firms have made voluntary commitments to support the NCWES, pledging substantial resources to train persons and fill cyber professional roles.
Looking ahead, the NCWES highlights plans for continuous involvement and collaboration to fulfill the growing demand for cybersecurity specialists. The strategy includes a push for skill-based hiring booms, cyber career fairs for underrepresented groups, and increased cyber education and training options. The whole-of-nation approach seeks to develop a trained and resilient cyber workforce capable of safeguarding the country's digital infrastructure, economy, and society.
The earliest stages of the National Cyber Workforce and Education Strategy are an important step in developing a strong cyber workforce. The NCWES strives to fill key cyber job shortages, strengthen national security, and ensure that all Americans may benefit from the potential of the digital age through collaborative efforts across government agencies, industry, and educational institutions.