Glass Seen As Half Full in Infosec Skills Search

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Myra Powell - as deputy for the Mission Assurance and Network Operations Program, Executive Office, Defense Information Security Agency - knows it's tough to compete with the higher paying private sector in attracting qualified IT security personnel to DISA. But when job prospects consider the entire package, the Defense agency holds its own.

"The mission is very exciting, the benefits are tremendous, the quality of work-life programs is wonderful," Powell said in an interview with GovInfoSecurity.com. "I really don't see (pay) as an issue based on the many benefits that DISA can offer to individuals compared with the private sector. I think we are very competitive, especially in today's environment."

In the interview with GovInfoSecurity.com's Eric Chabrow, Powell discussed the

• Skill sets DoD seeks in infosec professionals.
• Competition among agencies and the private sector for a limited supply of cybersecurity experts.
• Benefits of working as an IT security professional for DISA.

Powell was interviewed by Eric Chabrow, managing editor of GovInfoSecurity.com

ERIC CHABROW: Before we get to the recruitment challenges the Defense Information Systems Agency and other agencies face, please tell us about the Mission Assurance and Network Operations Program and your role at DISA.

MYRA POWELL: Basically, at the Program Executive Office Mission Assurance and Network Operations, we have some core mission areas that we are responsible for and that includes program control and acquisition. We have network operations as a core area, computer network defense and infrastructure services, and other areas including identity management and lastly, computer network defense enclave security.

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So the bottom line, what we want to do is make sure that we are supporting the agency and ultimately supporting the warfighter in having the ability to leverage the right information at the right time so that they can be successful in their mission.

CHABROW: What are the skill sets you seek in candidates for DISA's IT and IT security jobs?

POWELL: We look for individuals who have skill sets in being able to apply analytical processes to designing and implementing information systems. We also look at individuals who have worked in areas that help ensure confidentiality, integrity and availability of systems, and also with being able to design and document a development for testing and implementing of applications, systems and software. It is not just one area that we actually look at, it is the multiple areas of expertise and specialties that we try to focus on.

CHABROW: Is the pool of candidates available with those skills?

POWELL: We have been recruiting very heavily at career fairs, going out to industry trying to attract the brightest talent into our organization. I wouldn't say it is easy, but we have actually attracted some very bright and talented professionals to our organization. And not only do we go out to job fairs and other forums, we have expanded trying to grow our own through recruiting some of the bright college students through intern programs. There is also a student temporary employment program and student career experience programs, and in those particular programs what we do is attract students who are still in school and bring them on board now and ultimately hope that they will choose DISA as an ultimate career.

CHABROW: Are your competitors for qualified talent other government agencies or the private sector?

POWELL: There is a lot of competition for that type of talent in information security/cybersecurity today with us being very dependent on our communication and information systems. I see a lot of competition in private industry and in other government agencies as well.

CHABROW: What can DISA offer these candidates that other agencies or the private sector can't?

POWELL: There are a lot of benefits working here. Not only do we have a great mission, the other aspect is we try to have that continuous education. We try to ensure that individuals can get various certifications and working in an exciting Department of Defense organization where we are actually having an impact on being able to enable the warfighter with that information that they need to help protect our country. It is a great mission.

CHABROW: What kind of technical skills does DISA seek in recruits for cybersecurity positions?