Filling the Cybersecurity Talent Gap

COMMENTARY

Our nation is facing some of its greatest challenges ever. Amid rising geopolitical tensions and emerging conflicts, our country's security community continues to face one of its most sophisticated adversaries: hackers.

The increase in nation-state-backed hacking groups means our cyber opponents have more resources and technical prowess than ever before. Their attacks are more sophisticated and the impact has never been greater. They also do not discriminate in their attacks, sparing neither private companies nor government agencies. As the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has noted, we are living in a reality that requires collaboration between private and public organizations to meet this new breed of threats.

As the threats we face continue to grow, the industry does not have the cybersecurity workforce ready to meet the challenge. With a significant number of cybersecurity roles unfilled, members of the security industry and Congress have warned we lack the number of experts needed to protect our digital technologies and our national security. Last year, the White House unveiled its National Cyber Workforce and Education Strategy to expand cybersecurity training. It's clear that we need to quickly expand our cyber workforce with individuals who possess the talent and abilities to face these threats.

Thankfully, there is a talented group in the veteran community ready and willing to meet the challenge. Through their unique skills, discipline, and unmatched experience, veterans are perfectly suited to help address the talent gap and growing cyber threats we face. Not only that, but veterans will find that IT and cybersecurity provide a second career as they transition out of their service.

Veterans leave service with a wide range of talents that have several applications outside of the military. This includes both what are often called "soft skills," or those that are beneficial in a number of settings, as well as technical abilities well-suited for cybersecurity and IT. My service in the United States Army taught me skills that have helped me excel in my role at SolarWinds. Below are some of the top skills I have observed from my time in the industry that help our veterans succeed in IT and cybersecurity.

As the industry continues to incorporate more secure by design principles that guide how we approach security and cyber resiliency, we need a workforce that understands the importance of security and defense. To make this a reality, we need both the government and private companies to step up and create the right pathways for veterans to enter the workforce. This can include expanding the GI Bill to add additional incentives for careers in cybersecurity. Private companies should also offer more hands-on workshops and training that can both provide a way for applicants to learn and help companies fill their open positions.

As we face some of our greatest cyber adversaries yet, we need a skilled workforce to meet this challenge. Our veterans are the ideal candidates to quickly close the cybersecurity skills gap and create the skilled industry needed to meet these threats head-on.