Weighing the Pros and...Questions on the Cybersecurity Workforce Executive Order

On May 2, the White House released an Executive Order on cybersecurity workforce development. Overall, the order is a positive step and features several programs that may become proof of concept of the tools that cybersecurity workforce development experts have been speculating about for a while. With that said, some of its elements warrant a closer look.

This post is the first in a series that explores these open questions. Subsequent posts will take an in-depth look at:

• The benefits of leading by example with the federal workforce,
• Aptitude assessments and diversity as a “natural byproduct,”
• The process for exemptions from coverage under the Federal Labor-Management Relations Program,
• Translating a “call to action” into actual action.

This is only a part of the discussion, though. There is a lot more to be said. What do you think of the Executive Order? We welcome your thoughts and questions on Twitter at @NewAmCyber. Meanwhile, the next post in this series on what the executive order got right is available here. The third, on assessments and diversity, is here.