Today’s cyber workforce is low density and high demand, and the federal government continues to compete with industry for top-level talent. Executive Mosaic sat down with the Honorable John Sherman, chief information officer of the Department of Defense, to find out more about the Pentagon’s plan to attract, retain and upskill top-level cyber talent.
Digital modernization and technology innovation have risen to the forefront of the DOD’s priorities in light of the looming peer and near-peer competition. However, Sherman asserted in a new video interview that strides in these areas are not possible without the cyber-trained personnel to accomplish them.
John Sherman is scheduled to keynote the Potomac Officers Club’s 4th Annual CIO Summit on Apr. 13. Don’t miss your chance to hear from the Pentagon CIO and other GovCon leaders in person! Register here.
“Technology is critical, but without the people — the women and men behind it — we’re not going to be able to advance the way we need to be,” the Wash100 Award winner told Executive Mosaic’s Summer Myatt.
In response to ongoing talent shortages across the public sector, the DOD is focused on ensuring that the most highly trained and qualified individuals are executing the country’s most critical cyber roles.
While Sherman revealed that the Pentagon will be releasing a Cyber Talent Workforce Strategy soon, he also noted that in the meantime, the department is using all the hiring tools it has at its disposal.
Cyber Excepted Service, for example, allows the department greater flexibility in hiring and compensation for cyber jobs. Additionally, the Defense Cyber Workforce Framework outlines over 50 digital and cyber work roles, allowing the DOD to understand where its talent gaps may be.
During his video interview, Sherman also discussed the future of JADC2, what zero trust success will look like, which technologies are taking the spotlight in the public sector today and more. Watch the full video here.