Agencies Hard Hit By Shortage of Cybersecurity Pros
Government Computer News (10/21/10) William Jackson
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is struggling to meet its need for cybersecurity personnel. Although DHS tripled the number of professionals working in the National Cybersecurity Division in fiscal 2009, and doubled that number again last year, it still needs more workers. "We just don't have enough people yet," says National Protection and Programs Directorate deputy undersecretary Philip Reitinger. The problem is there are not enough trained professionals coming into the field to meet demand. Several public-private initiatives have been launched to identify potential students and provide educational opportunities and career paths. In addition, various high school and collegiate cybersecurity programs are underway. However, it could take a decade for these new pipelines to begin supplying significant numbers of new workers. The DHS has obtained waivers to give it more flexibility in its hiring processes, but experts say a greater focus on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) educational programs is needed. "This is a glaring weakness here in the United States," says U.S. Senate counsel Jake Olcott. "Our STEM educational system is not working well right now."
http://gcn.com/articles/2010/10/21/cyber-w...
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is struggling to meet its need for cybersecurity personnel. Although DHS tripled the number of professionals working in the National Cybersecurity Division in fiscal 2009, and doubled that number again last year, it still needs more workers. "We just don't have enough people yet," says National Protection and Programs Directorate deputy undersecretary Philip Reitinger. The problem is there are not enough trained professionals coming into the field to meet demand. Several public-private initiatives have been launched to identify potential students and provide educational opportunities and career paths. In addition, various high school and collegiate cybersecurity programs are underway. However, it could take a decade for these new pipelines to begin supplying significant numbers of new workers. The DHS has obtained waivers to give it more flexibility in its hiring processes, but experts say a greater focus on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) educational programs is needed. "This is a glaring weakness here in the United States," says U.S. Senate counsel Jake Olcott. "Our STEM educational system is not working well right now."
http://gcn.com/articles/2010/10/21/cyber-w...
