DHS Cybersecurity Workforce
Posted on September 10, 2018
Secure federal computer systems depend on the federal and contractor workforce who design, develop, implement, secure, maintain, and use them. But the federal government faces a persistent shortage of workers trained in cybersecurity and information technology.
The Department of Homeland Security is the lead agency responsible for protecting the nation's critical infrastructure from cyber threats. So, how is DHS assessing its cybersecurity workforce needs? Today’s WatchBlog explores.
The Homeland Security Cybersecurity Workforce Act
Having an effective cybersecurity workforce is particularly essential to DHS’s mission. It must protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of its own computer systems and information. Also, DHS coordinates with public and private sector partners in protecting federal civilian networks and the nation’s critical infrastructure.
The Homeland Security Cybersecurity Workforce Assessment Act of 2014 (Act) requires DHS to:
- identify all cybersecurity workforce positions within the department
- determine the cybersecurity work category and specialty area of such positions
- assign the corresponding employment code to each cybersecurity position
- identify and report on its cybersecurity workforce areas of critical need
- complete efforts to identify all of the department’s cybersecurity positions
- establish procedures to identify, categorize, and code its cybersecurity position vacancies and responsibilities
- accurately assign codes to all filled and vacant cybersecurity positions
- its cybersecurity workforce procedures identify position vacancies and responsibilities
- reported workforce data are complete and accurate
- plans for reporting on critical needs are developed
- Questions on the content of this post? Contact Gregory Wilshusen at WilshusenG@gao.gov.
- Comments on GAO’s WatchBlog? Contact blog@gao.gov.