Legislation recently offered in the Senate (S-2007) aims to create a consistent framework to strengthen the government’s cadre of employees who perform information technology, cybersecurity, and cyber-related functions.
Ability to recruit and retain highly skilled IT workers, and in particular those specializing in cybersecurity, has been an ongoing issue for years as the government commonly is unable to match compensation and career advancement opportunities available in the private sector. That has been one factor cited as responsible for the series of cyber breaches of government computer systems in a broad range of agencies.
Under the bill, each agency would identify all its positions that require performance of IT, information security and related functions and submit reports on the percentages who hold the appropriate industry-recognized certifications for their occupations and a strategy for getting certifications for those lacking them. Agencies also would have to issue reports on cyber-related roles of “critical need.”
OPM would issue new guidance on classifying and coding jobs in those fields in order to get a better handle on what the government has and is lacking. It also would have to report to agencies on current occupations with acute skill shortages and those with emerging shortages.