A Cyber Challenge for DHS

Computerworld reports that the Homeland Security Department's efforts to hire some 1,000 new cybersecurity experts could be stalled due to a lack of specialized skills as well as competition with other agencies and the private sector. DHS has a critical need for security professionals to handle tasks like intrusion analysis, malware reverse engineering, security auditing, secure code analysis, penetration testing and forensics, but the problem is there aren't enough security professionals to meet those needs, the article states. Experts also say that DHS must first address the relatively high rates of turnover within its mid- and upper-level cyber workforce, particularly at its National Cyber Security Division.

I asked Jeffrey Neal, chief human capital officer at the Homeland Security Department, on Monday whether DHS expected to encounter challenges in meeting this hiring effort, given the lack of cybersecurity talent in the market. The department does anticipate some challenges in finding the right skills, he said, largely because it will be looking for mid- to upper-level cyber professionals, and not necessarily recent graduates from the many newly-created cybersecurity programs at universities and community colleges.

"There's a lot of folks offering cybersecurity programs because it's a hot market," he said, "but we have to make sure we're getting folks who have the right skills and experience."

I've received a few e-mails and comments from cybersecurity experts who have interest in working for the government but can't find a way in. I'm interested to hear from you all on what challenges DHS might face in attracting, hiring and retaining cybersecurity expertise, and whether the new hiring authority will put some of those challenges to rest.