DHS accelerates cyber workforce development

The Homeland Security Department is establishing a task force that aims to advance efforts in cyber workforce development within the federal government, according to Secretary Janet Napolitano.

Co-chaired by Jeff Moss, chief security officer at the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, and Alan Paller, director of research at the SANS Institute, the new initiative will work on strategies that could include beefing up DHS’ involvement in cyber competitions and university programs. Other goals include strengthening private-public partnerships and collaborating with interagency partners to develop a federal cyber workforce.

Napolitano broke the news about the task force at a White House event where she met with industry and small-business representatives to discuss DHS’ ongoing work to secure the online community and develop the cyber workforce. DHS posted an account of the event.

“Today, we face an increasing demand for the best and brightest in the cybersecurity field across industry, academia and government,” the secretary said, quote din the DHS release. “DHS is committed to working with our partners at universities and throughout the private sector to develop the next generation of cyber professionals to protect against evolving cyber threats.”

Napolitano in April traveled to California where she spoke to students at San Jose State University on cybersecurity and expanding the cyber workforce, stressing collaboration as a way to reduce web-based threats, recounted in another DHS posting.

“To minimize the risk of a successful cyber attack, we need everyone, including our industry partners, the general public, and yes, our partners in academia, to do their part,” she told the audience.