From the course: Cybersecurity Careers and Certifications

Government (FISMA)

From the course: Cybersecurity Careers and Certifications

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Government (FISMA)

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- [Narrator] When learning about cybersecurity careers, it's useful to understand the cybersecurity marketplace. Where are cybersecurity careers most in demand and what are the specific cybersecurity needs in different parts of the marketplace? Let's start by looking at the US federal government as a possible avenue for a cybersecurity career. There are three reasons why the government is a major marketplace for cybersecurity jobs. Federal agencies are required to be secure, they're prime cyberattack targets, and the government recognizes it has a problem and is taking actions to fix it. First, federal agencies are required by law to be secure. That law is the Federal Information Security Management Act or FISMA. FISMA requires federal agencies to implement a comprehensive program to protect government information, operations, and assets against natural or manmade threats. That means all federal agencies need cybersecurity directors, managers, engineers, analysts, and other security professionals to ensure that their security programs and systems are implemented and function correctly. Second, federal agencies are prime cyberattack targets. Attackers know that government agencies handle vast amounts of highly sensitive information, yet even with FISMA, many agencies are lacking when it comes to cybersecurity. In fact, in 2020, a major cyberattack breached multiple parts of the US federal government, including the Departments of Defense, Energy, and Homeland Security. These appear to be sophisticated and coordinated attacks conducted by one or more nation states. Because federal agencies are such big targets, cybersecurity professionals are badly needed to help prevent future attacks and breaches. And finally, the government recognizes it has a problem and is actively paying for better cybersecurity to fix it. In 2016, the US federal government introduced the Federal Cybersecurity Workforce Strategy designed to develop and strengthen the federal cybersecurity workforce. The government wants to demonstrate that it is the employer of choice for cybersecurity professionals by offering rewarding, unique, and dynamic careers that rival opportunities anywhere else in the world. Cybercareers.gov was created as part of the Federal Cybersecurity Workforce Strategy to provide a platform for cybersecurity job seekers. So clearly the federal government is serious about improving cybersecurity and is looking for professionals to help make that happen. While there are more, these are just three reasons why the federal government can be a solid marketplace for your cybersecurity skills.

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