Cybersecurity Human Capital: Initiatives Need Better Planning and Coordination

Citation
Government Accountability Office, Cybersecurity Human Capital: Initiatives Need Better Planning and Coordination (GAO-12-8) (Nov. 29, 2011) (full-text).

Overview
Threats to federal information technology (IT) infrastructure and systems continue to grow in number and sophistication. The ability to make federal IT infrastructure and systems secure depends on the knowledge, skills, and abilities of the federal and contractor workforce that implements and maintains these systems.

In light of the importance of recruiting and retaining cybersecurity personnel, GAO was asked to assess (1) the extent to which federal agencies have implemented and established workforce planning practices for cybersecurity personnel and (2) the status of and plans for government-wide cybersecurity workforce initiatives. GAO evaluated eight federal agencies with the highest IT budgets to determine their use of workforce planning practices for cybersecurity staff by analyzing plans, performance measures, and other information. GAO also reviewed plans and programs at agencies with responsibility for government-wide cybersecurity workforce initiatives.