Defense Systems
AFGE looks to block Cyber Command reserve program in NDAA
A proposed amendment to the 2022 National Defense Authorization Act to pilot a cybersecurity reserve force at the Department of Defense would weaken merit systems principles, according to the largest federal employee union.
Defense Systems
Fostering a diverse cybersecurity workforce
Experts at an Aspen Institute event explained some roadblocks to cultivating a diverse cybersecurity workforce and offered potential solutions, including putting less reliance on formal certification.
Defense Systems
Was DOD ready for telework in 2020?
Slow networks, a lack of management buy-in and the need for more government equipment all affected how DOD feds transitioned to telework at the start of the pandemic, new reports from DOD's IG found.
Defense Systems
DHS workforce sprint brings in nearly 300 cyber employees
Cybersecurity vacancies totaled about 2,000 at the start of the hiring sprint in May.
Defense Systems
Hassan, Cornyn float bill to create new federal cybersecurity training programs
One part of the bill would create a pilot program to train vets to work in cybersecurity.
Defense Systems
Executive order covers diversity, inclusion, equity and accessibility for federal workers
An executive order issued last Friday directs the federal government to ramp up diversity training, rethink the use salary history as a basis for pay determinations and supply gender non-conforming and non-binary and transgender feds with employee credentials that reflect their current names, pictures and pronouns.
Defense Systems
DOD watchdog says DDS director didn't mistreat employees
A probe found that Defense Digital Service Brett Goldstein did condone the use of unapproved encrypted communications apps and also identified discussion among staffers about programming a script to rig an online competition.
Defense Systems
Clearance reciprocity still a policy issue despite better tech
The backlog of security clearance investigations has continued to drop from a 2018 high of 725,000 to 200,000, but agencies continue to struggle with reciprocity issues.
Defense Systems
House Dems back bill to put guardrails around IGs
The proposal would limit the power of the president to remove inspectors general to for cause reasons and outline exactly who can serve as an acting IG.
Defense Systems
Still more questions than answers on SolarWinds attack
At a recent hearing on the massive hack on SolarWinds' IT management software, witnesses explained that they are still unsure how widespread the attack was, how hackers corrupted the Orion software and what they intend to do with the information they’ve accessed
Defense Systems
Biden's ODNI pick looks to restore IC workforce morale
If confirmed, Avril Haines says that one of her top priorities as the Director of National Intelligence will be "institutional" issues, like renewing public trust in the intelligence community and improving workforce morale.
Defense Systems
DOD nixes diversity training modification for contractors
The Pentagon eliminated a class deviation that implemented the president's executive order purging diversity training across federal grants and contracts.
Defense Systems
GAO tracks diversity in the intelligence community
Although steps have been taken to address workforce diversity, a recent report underscored gaps in strategic planning among intelligence community elements.
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Preparing the cyber workforce of the future
Big picture skills like digital literacy and critical thinking are more important to building a public-sector cybersecurity workforce than small gains in federal hiring procedure, experts say.
Defense Systems