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Description

This paper is about the growing gap between demand for cybersecurity professionals and the capacity of the U.S. workforce to meet national security requirements. It highlights persistent shortages in skilled cyber personnel across government, military, and law enforcement, driven by unclear workforce definitions, insufficient training pipelines, and strong competition from the private sector. Cyberspace has become integral to nearly all aspects of national power, making workforce development a strategic priority. It evaluates existing education and recruitment efforts and identifies structural challenges in hiring, training, and retaining cyber talent. The paper concludes with recommendations to expand cyber education, improve workforce management frameworks, and develop innovative approaches to building a sustainable pipeline capable of supporting future national security and defense missions.

Document Type

Policy Brief

Region(s)

United States, North America, Global

Topic(s)

Emerging Science and Technologies, Military Education, National Security

Publication Date

8-2012

Publication

Defense Horizons

Publisher

National Defense University Press

City

Washington, DC

Keywords

cyber workforce, cybersecurity workforce, cyber education, workforce development, STEM education, cyber training, national security, cyber policy, information technology workforce, talent pipeline, workforce management, recruitment, cybersecurity skills gap, cyber operations, defense workforce

Preparing the Pipeline: The U.S. Cyber Workforce for the Future

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