PROTECT AMERICA IN THE CYBERSPACE BATTLEFIELD

“Terrorists, criminals, and foreign adversaries continue to threaten the physical security of our people. However cyberspace is now the most active battlefield, and the attack surface extends into almost every American home.” (Written testimony of DHS Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen for a Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs hearing titled “Threats to the Homeland”, October 10, 2018)

By Alex Harrington, Executive DirectorRecent cyberattacks across the federal government and its partners in the public and private sectors highlight the U.S. Government’s need for cybersecurity professionals to help protect their networks from data breaches by malicious actors within our country and, more so, by foreign cyber threats.If you have experience in network security, software development, systems engineering, or security intelligence, consider the federal career opportunities below.

DHS Cybersecurity Pathways

The Department of Homeland Security provides various pathways to cybersecurity positions for current and recent grads, veterans, and experienced cyber and IT professionals.

• Student Programs in Cybersecurity – the Secretary’s Honors Program Cyber Student Intern Program is for current undergraduate and graduate students pursuing a program of study in a cybersecurity-related field. Learn more at Students and Recent Graduates | Homeland Security (dhs.gov).
• CyberCorps®: Scholarship for Service – DHS partners with the National Science Foundation on the CyberCorps®: Scholarship for Service (SFS) program, which offers scholarships to outstanding undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students in exchange for government service to a federal agency. Learn more at CyberCorps®: Scholarship for Service (opm.gov).
• DHS Secretary’s Honors Program – the DHS Secretary’s Honors Program is a highly competitive, premier program for exceptional entry-level professionals looking for a career at DHS. Learn more at Students and Recent Graduates | Homeland Security (dhs.gov).
• Veteran Opportunities in Cybersecurity – you can use your veteran benefits to obtain knowledge and skills in cybersecurity. Using the post 9/11 GI Bill, you can get up to 36 months of financial support for education and training for graduate and undergraduate degrees, vocational/technical training, correspondence training, licensing and national testing programs, and tutorial assistance to prepare you for a career in cybersecurity. Learn more at Post-9/11 GI Bill - Education and Training (va.gov).
• Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Hiring Events – the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency is looking for candidates with diverse backgrounds across multiple career fields, including cybersecurity, human resources, infrastructure security, risk assessment, and more. Learn more at CISA Job Offer Hiring Events | CISA.

Additional Information on Cybersecurity Careers

• NICCS Cyber Career Pathways Tool – the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Careers and Studies (NICCS) is the premier online resource for cybersecurity training. This tool will help you identify, build, and navigate a potential cyber career pathway by increasing your understanding of the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to begin, transition, or advance your cyber career.
• CISA Cyber and IT Intern Programs – the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has a Cyber and IT Intern program for current students enrolled in accredited educational institutions from high school to graduate level for paid cyber/IT internships.
• Cybercareers.gov – the Office of Personnel Management partnered with the Office of Management Budget to provide this resource for job seekers, current federal employees, hiring managers, and students.
• Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) Program – this premier two-year leadership training program is for graduates of an advanced cybersecurity degree program. Learn more at Students & Recent Graduates (opm.gov).

If you need further encouragement, check out the following videos:

Months to Milliseconds: A Dedicated Team Defending Cyber

[embed]https://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/videos/16_0926_months-to-milliseconds_compressed.mp4[/embed]A full transcript of the Months to Millisecond’s video, including all audio and visual information, can be found here.

A Robust Mission

[embed]https://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/videos/16_0926_DHS_MTM_Recruiting_v10_compressed.mp4[/embed]A full transcript of the DHS Cybersecurity Jobs video, including all audio and visual information, can be found here.

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Please follow us on Twitter @FedCareer and join our Federal Career Connection LinkedIn Group or find us on Meetup at meetup.com/mbc-cnm.To get updates on upcoming workshops and career coaching sessions, visit https://Federalcareerconnection.com.Author: Alex Harrington is currently a Federal civil servant and a Certified Career Services Provider and Global Career Development Facilitator. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps and is a Persian Gulf War veteran.