Cybersecurity vacancies at companies remain unfilled, with military veterans being sought out for their skills in agility, collaboration, and an emphasis on objectives – qualities they have honed during their service.
Veterans Tapped as Unexpected Talent Pipeline for Cybersecurity Jobs
In a significant move, businesses are turning to the U.S. military as a promising talent pool for filling the vast cybersecurity workforce gap. The high-pressure, team-oriented, and mission-focused nature of both the military and the cybersecurity field make veterans ideal candidates for many positions in this industry.
According to Dr. Eman El-Sheikh, director of the University of West Florida's Center for Cybersecurity, veterans possess a unique set of skills that are crucial in cybersecurity. These include agility, mission-focus, teamwork, problem-solving, and the ability to work under pressure. Their dedication to the mission, technical backgrounds, and core skills make them a valuable addition to any cybersecurity team.
The service-oriented mindset of veterans is directly transferable to protecting businesses from cyber threats. In fact, many veterans may already have the hard skills to start working in cybersecurity positions immediately. Some even have a security clearance, which can help streamline the hiring process.
Academia, non-profits, businesses, and the public sector are coordinating efforts to transition military veterans into civilian cybersecurity jobs. The Home Depot Foundation recently invested $1 million into a program for training veterans and first responders for free in the cybersecurity industry, supporting their education and career development alongside work commitments.
The National Cybersecurity Workforce Development Program also provides free cybersecurity training and professional development to eligible veterans and first responders. The SANS Institute expanded its cyber talent pipeline to reach students in the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) to jumpstart cyber career interest.
The SANS Institute's VetSuccess Academy offers veterans and military spouses an opportunity to earn cybersecurity certifications, connect with a mentor, and transition to the civilian cyber workforce. The University of West Florida's program, designed to prepare and place veterans into cyber roles, aims to train 200 individuals in year one and 415 in year two, with a long-term goal of building a national framework.
However, despite these efforts, there is still a significant cybersecurity workforce shortage in the U.S., with over half a million job openings remaining unfilled, according to CyberSeek. This shortage is partly due to the high ratio of cybersecurity workers to job openings, which is about half as many workers per job compared to the national average across fields.
Gary McAlum, a veteran and SVP and chief security officer at USAA, found that his military experience provided the technical knowledge for the cyber field, but not the business acumen. Transition teams offer training on building a resume based on military experience and provide other services to guide veterans reentering the civilian workforce.
Darrell Winfield, CIO at Paya and a former flight research officer in the U.S. Air Force, emphasizes that veterans bring a calm, cool, and collected mindset necessary for cyber positions. This trait, combined with their technical skills and dedication, makes veterans a valuable asset in the cybersecurity industry.
In conclusion, the U.S. military is increasingly being recognised as a valuable source of talent for the cybersecurity industry. With their unique blend of technical skills, dedication, and soft skills, veterans are well-positioned to fill the vast number of job openings in this field.
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