Source: US Department of Homeland Security

Headline: White House Cybersecurity Workforce Executive Order Bolsters U.S. Frontline Defenses, Aids Job Creation

On May 2, President Trump signed an Executive Order directing the federal government to take critical steps to strengthen America’s cybersecurity workforce. Importantly, the Executive Order will enhance mobility of our country’s frontline cybersecurity practitioners, support the development of their skills to encourage excellence in the field, and help ensure the United States keeps its competitive edge in cybersecurity. The United States currently has a shortage of 300,000 cybersecurity practitioners.

“America’s cybersecurity practitioners—whether working in the private sector or serving in the federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial governments—constitute a core element in our country’s frontline defense, and we must urgently bolster them in the face of a myriad of cybersecurity threats,” said Acting Secretary Kevin K. McAleenan. “DHS and this Administration are committed to bold action. From enabling movement between the private and public sectors to supporting our workforce’s training, education, and development, the President’s action today sets the course to expand and sustain the workforce and ensure America keeps its competitive edge in the critical field of cybersecurity.”

Under the Cybersecurity Workforce Executive Order, the Department of Homeland Security will work with partners from around the federal government on several initiatives to strengthen the workforce. DHS will create the Federal Cybersecurity Rotational Program, in which Information Technology (IT) and cybersecurity practitioners in the federal government can serve temporary assignments in DHS, and vice versa, sharing knowledge and cybersecurity best practices, undergoing training, and providing invaluable, varied experiences to the workforce. Additionally, DHS will identify aptitude assessments for use in identifying current employees who would be excellent candidates to work in IT and cybersecurity.

Together with the Department of Defense, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, the Office of Management Budget, and other partner agencies, DHS will plan the President’s Cup Cybersecurity Competition to spur competition as well as challenge and reward the best federal and military cybersecurity practitioners and teams. DHS and the Department of Commerce will create a National Cybersecurity Workforce Consultative Process, in which stakeholders from the private and public sectors, from the federal level to local and tribal governments, academia, and others, will assess the cybersecurity workforce and make recommendations to strengthen its skill sets. DHS will further work with other departments to identify and mitigate federal and non-federal skill gaps specific to critical infrastructure and defense cybersecurity through development of appropriate training curricula. Finally, DHS will encourage the incorporation of the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education to support training and workforce development around the country. 

Source: US Department of Homeland Security

Headline: Acting Secretary Kevin K. McAleenan Joins Second Lady Karen Pence to Announce Partnership between U.S. Coast Guard and LinkedIn

WASHINGTON – On May 1st, Second Lady of the United States Karen Pence was joined by Homeland Security Acting Secretary Kevin K. McAleenan to announce a new partnership between the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and LinkedIn. The agreement was sealed by a Memorandum of Understanding providing a free one-year premium LinkedIn membership to USCG spouses after a permanent change of station (PCS) move to help them obtain employment. Importantly, this vital benefit eases some of the challenges associated with finding employment and helps military spouses re-establish their careers after a PCS move.

The Department of Defense (DOD) previously established a partnership with LinkedIn allowing DOD spouses to receive a free LinkedIn premium membership for a year both before and after each PCS move, but the initial agreement excluded the U.S. Coast Guard.

“Military spouse employment is a very important aspect of a strong and resilient military family, “ said Mrs. Pence. “ Our work to develop a partnership with LinkedIn to include Coast Guard military spouses with LinkedIn premium access started last fall. We commend Microsoft and LinkedIn for working with the United States Coast Guard to expand their program to Coast Guard military spouses. This new collaboration will help spouses with employment opportunities and will make job hunting easier.”

Second Lady Pence has become a champion for awareness of the challenges unique to military spouses, including obtaining employment after a PCS move. A proud military mom, whose son serves in the Marines, Mrs. Pence understands the struggles associated with repeated moves of military families. Second Lady Pence advocated to LinkedIn to facilitate expanding this benefit to include the Coast Guard, the only Armed Force in the Department of Homeland Security.

“We are committed to helping as much as possible, and today I’m glad we can make that next move a little bit easier through this partnership with LinkedIn,” McAleenan said. “And I want to thank LinkedIn for partnering with us on this. Helping families get settled in a new community after a PCS move will go a long way.”

The partnership provides much deserved support to U.S. Coast Guard spouses and families, improving the overall readiness of our forces.