July 24, 2009, 6:55 AM — A lack of cybersecurity expertise in the ranks of the federal government means the U.S. won’t be able to sufficiently protect against threats, according to a report released on Wednesday.
The Partnership for Public Service and Booz Allen Hamilton interviewed experts inside and outside of the federal government and analyzed public testimony, reports, and documents to come to this conclusion, which is summarized in the report entitled “Cyber IN-Security: Strengthening the Federal Cybersecurity Workforce.”
In order to protect critical government and private-sector networks that come under attack from criminals, terrorists, and foreign nations, the government requires a coordinated strategy including a workforce that is highly trained in, and dedicated to, cybersecurity, says the report.
However, the report concludes that this highly-qualified workforce is exactly what’s missing. Due to a lack of new talent, “fragmented governance and uncoordinated leadership,” convoluted hiring and retention practices, and a disconnect between what hiring managers need and what HR representatives perceive they need, the quality and quantity of the U.S. federal cybersecurity workforce remains inadequate.
The Partnership for Public Service is a nonprofit organization that aims to transform the way the government works.
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