The Defense Department has successfully reduced the time it takes to bring on a new civilian employee within its cyber workforce to below 80 days, with an average time-to-hire of 79 days. This achievement is attributed to the department’s efforts to better develop its cyber workforce, which is crucial for executing complex cyber missions. In early 2023, the department published its Cyber Workforce Strategy to outline its goals for the cyber workforce, followed by a plan for implementing the strategy later in the year.
Mark Gorak, principal director for resources and analysis within the DOD’s office of the chief information officer, highlighted some of the department’s successes in executing the Cyber Workforce Strategy Implementation Plan. These successes include the reduction of time-to-hire and growth of the cyber talent exchange program. The department has expanded its exchange programs with industry and federal partners, welcoming seven new industry partners, both small and large technology-based organizations. Additionally, the civilian vacancy rate in the DOD cyber workforce has decreased by 4.8% in 2024, demonstrating retention of cyber talent.
In 2024, the DOD established the Cyber Academic Engagement Office, led by Mark Gorak, as a consolidated focal point for cyber-related activities between the DOD and academia stakeholders. The Cyber Workforce Strategy, signed by Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks in March 2023, serves as a roadmap for the advancement and unified management of the cyber workforce, which includes approximately 225,000 highly trained civilians, military, and contractor personnel. The DOD Cyber Workforce Strategy Implementation Plan, released in August 2023, sets the foundation for executing the objectives and initiatives outlined in the Cyber Workforce Strategy’s four goals.
The four goals within the Cyber Workforce Strategy focus on executing consistent capability assessment and analysis processes, establishing an enterprise-wide talent management program, facilitating a cultural shift in personnel management, and fostering collaboration and partnerships for capability development. Chimia Carr-Nelson, branch chief for strategy implementation within the DOD’s CIO, emphasized that the Cyber Workforce Strategy Implementation Plan is an ongoing effort that has already been successful in helping the department achieve its goals with its cyber workforce. The department expects to see more positive impact and change in the cyber workforce within DOD in the coming years as they continue to address the targets and initiatives aligned with the Cyber Workforce Strategy.
