While the buzz of the incoming Trump administration's federal hiring freeze hangs thick in the air, one skillset that's still very much in demand centers on cybersecurity.
The need for cyber talent continues to be highly competitive, with the federal government employing a number of initiatives to entice professionals into public service.
Here are four ways agencies are looking to snag cyber talent:
The U.S. Cyber Challenge
This public-private partnership program seeks to add at least 10,000 cybersecurity professionals through its contract with the nonprofit Center for Internet Security.
Headed by former Office of Management and Budget executive Karen Evans, the USCC attempts to identify potential cyber talent through a number of education and competition initiatives to help foster growth in the fields.
Evans reportedly served as part of Trump's transition team, signaling that recruiting efforts like the USCC could continue under the new administration.
Department of Homeland Security initiatives
The agency has a number of programs to foster growth in the cybersecurity realm, from the college recruitment programs like the Cyber Student Volunteer Initiative and the CyberCorps®: Scholarship for Service to ongoing measures like the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Careers and Studies.
For more information, check out the department’s webpage on cyber careers.
The National Security Agency
The nation’s largest intelligence agency also offers multiple high school outreach and college internship programsfocusing on cybersecurity. Applicants may work on real-world technical challenges in the Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Operations Summer Intern Program or work study and scholarship programs as aspiring high school seniors.
The NSA's range of educational and college development programs can be found on the U.S. Intelligence Community’s careers site.
Cybercareers.gov
The fastest way to find a cybersecurity position in the federal government may be through its new website.
Hosted by the Office of Personnel Management, Cybercareers.gov, aggregates IT and cybersecurity job openings throughout the federal government and the Department of Defense to job seekers an overview of where there are position needs.
The site opened in January and links potential applicants back to openings on the federal government’s employment website,
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