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A commission established to advise President Barack Obama on cybersecurity policy is set to release its recommendations shortly to establish a skilled and extensive cybersecurity workforce.
The Commission on Cybersecurity for the 44th Presidency, created by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) is finalizing its draft report on how to build a qualified cyber workforce. The report recommends that federal employees and contractors receive ongoing training and certification to maintain their skills.
“We’re recommending that this be a continuous learning and demonstration of skill,” said Karen Evans, a member of the commission and former administrator for e-government and information technology at OMB.
Evans, who spoke at the Digital Government Institute’s Cybersecurity Conference and Expo last week, said the administration should establish the necessary skills for cyber professionals and then encourage employees to build their cyber capabilities through advanced training. Network developers and software developers, as well as cyber professionals, should receive training, Evans said.
The report also suggests that the administration should set up a certification body to develop standards that would test cyber skills and require contractors along with federal employees to be certified.
“This is not just about creating a standard for those on the federal payroll, but using the certification to ensure those selling to government are held to that same standard,” said Frank Reeder, former director of the White House Office of Administration and member of the commission.
