The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is taking significant steps to simplify the clearance process for its cybersecurity positions to address the pressing need for cyber talent. During a House hearing on Wednesday, DHS Chief Information Officer Eric Hysen revealed efforts to streamline hiring by reducing clearance requirements and expanding the use of interim clearances. This is part of a broader strategy to address the federal government’s cumbersome hiring process and to fill the 500,000 vacant cybersecurity jobs in the country, a critical concern highlighted by Committee Chair Mark Green.
Efforts to Revamp Hiring Protocols
Rep. Bennie Thompson raised concerns about the federal government’s hiring procedures, prompting Hysen to outline DHS’s multifaceted approach. This includes revising clearance protocols, using the Cybersecurity Talent Management System, and reducing interim clearance requirements. The Office of the National Cyber Director (ONCD) has also made progress in lowering average wait times for security clearances, aiming to make it easier and faster for candidates to get approved.
Collaboration Across Government Agencies
Seeyew Mo, Assistant National Cyber Director, noted that ONCD is collaborating with the Office of Personnel Management and the Office of Management and Budget to refine the “pool hiring process.” This process will enable applicants to use a single certificate for multiple agencies, speeding up the onboarding process. The DHS’s Cybersecurity Talent Management System is expected to play a crucial role in maintaining a ready talent pool, which can significantly reduce time to hire.
Focus on Diversity and Inclusion
The hearing also addressed efforts to recruit from underrepresented populations. DHS is laying the groundwork for a more robust cyber talent pipeline by partnering with educational institutions to develop K-12 cyber curricula and train educators. Programs like the Department of Education’s CTE CyberNet are supporting teachers in establishing cybersecurity programs at their schools. These initiatives aim to broaden the talent pool and ensure a diverse cyber workforce.
During the hearing, lawmakers and witnesses discussed the federal government’s pivot towards skills-based hiring over traditional degree requirements, particularly for cybersecurity roles. Harry Coker, in his first public remarks as ONCD director, emphasized the move away from four-year degree requirements for federal cyber contracting jobs. DHS is also looking to recruit independent contractors into full-time positions and explore pathways for high-skilled immigration to attract top global talent.
The federal government is also focusing on promoting telework and flexible job opportunities to expand the cybersecurity workforce beyond metropolitan areas. Rodney Petersen of the National Institute of Standards and Technology highlighted the importance of maintaining remote work options to retain talent in rural communities. This strategy intends to offer more flexible employment opportunities, enabling individuals to work in diverse locations while contributing to national cybersecurity efforts.
Future legislation aims to sustain and expand the cyber workforce pipeline. New bills proposed include funding cybersecurity clinics at community colleges and providing the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency with annual funding to promote cyber jobs to a diverse range of candidates. Upcoming legislation plans to introduce measures to further grow and diversify the cyber workforce, ensuring a steady influx of talent each year.
DHS’s approach to streamlining the clearance process and its partnerships with educational institutions signify a concerted effort to address the cybersecurity talent gap. The emphasis on skills-based hiring, inclusion of underrepresented populations, and the adoption of remote work models show a multifaceted strategy to bolster the national cybersecurity workforce. These initiatives, coupled with future legislation, are poised to make a significant impact on filling the nation’s cyber job vacancies.
