ONCD Launches Initiative to Fill 3,000 Cybersecurity Jobs This Fall

ONCD Launches Cybersecurity Hiring Sprint

The Office of the National Cyber Director (ONCD) is gearing up for a significant recruitment initiative this fall aimed at filling approximately 3,000 open cybersecurity positions within the federal government. As cybersecurity threats continue to escalate with increasing frequency and sophistication, the need for qualified professionals in this sector has never been more crucial. The ONCD's hiring sprint is part of a broader strategy to bolster the nation's cyber workforce while addressing the critical skills gap plaguing the federal technology sector.

Inventory and Focus Areas

As part of its efforts, the ONCD is collaborating with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to develop a comprehensive inventory of cybersecurity-related jobs within the federal government. Seeyew Mo, the Assistant National Cyber Director for Workforce, Training, and Education, revealed that during their assessment, approximately 3,000 job openings were identified in the 2210 series, which encompasses IT management positions.

“We aim to socialize this data with interagency partners to figure out how we can collaboratively fill these roles more effectively,” said Mo. This statement underscores the urgent focus on inter-agency collaboration to optimize recruitment strategies in order to fill these essential roles.

While the exact positions the sprint will target remain under discussion, the emphasis will largely be on the 2210 series jobs. This aligns with a nationwide trend; according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment in information security is projected to grow 33% from 2020 to 2030, significantly faster than the average for other occupations.

In a clear effort to bridge the gap, the ONCD is not only looking to fill existing positions but also engaging with private sector employers to create opportunities for interns, apprentices, and entry-level talent within the national cyber workforce.

Transition to Skills-Based Hiring

The ONCD's upcoming hiring sprint comes in the wake of OPM's recent announcement regarding a transition to a fully skills-based hiring approach for the 2210 series by summer 2025. This overhaul of the federal hiring process aims to prioritize talent and competencies over traditional qualifications and experience. Mo highlighted, “These are policies that affect real people’s lives. We have to get it right. Therefore, we are closely coordinating with OPM." This focus signifies a shift towards more flexible and accessible hiring practices, which could help attract a more diverse candidate pool.

It's crucial to recognize that this hiring sprint differs from the broader "Tech to Gov" initiative aimed at recruiting experts in artificial intelligence and emerging technologies. While the Tech to Gov initiative has already facilitated over 100 job offers during recent job fairs, the ONCD's fall sprint aims to cast a wider net in the quest for cybersecurity talent.

As the federal government faces mounting challenges from cyber threats to infrastructure, it is clear that a renewed focus on cybersecurity workforce recruitment is essential. The ONCD's commitment to identifying gaps in talent and enhancing the recruitment process is important in ensuring that the federal workforce is equipped to combat these threats effectively.

This hiring effort is timely, given recent reports that U.S. companies lost an estimated $40 billion to cybercrime in 2022, highlighting an urgent need for skilled professionals to secure infrastructure, networks, and sensitive data. For candidates, this presents a unique opportunity to step into a field with strong job security and growth potential.

Conclusion

As the ONCD prepares to launch its hiring sprint this fall, it opens new opportunities for IT professionals looking to enter the cybersecurity field. The initiative reflects a growing recognition of the importance of cybersecurity within the federal workforce and signals a commitment to addressing the talent shortages that have hindered efforts to secure the nation's critical infrastructure.