Feds may require cybersecurity credential for workforce

Reports are emerging about recommendations that the Commission on Cybersecurity for the 44th Presidency will make to the Obama administration that will require government and contractor employees involved in cybersecurity be formally certified.

The commission is a group overseen by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and published its first report on securing cyberspace in December 2008. It’s expected to issue its follow-up report later this month or in early July.

That’s likely to spur a debate about just what a cybersecurity credential is, versus that for regular IT security. There are many people involved in the cybersecurity know that don’t have any kind of formal qualifications, but are nevertheless leaders in the nascent field.

It will also stir up debate about the needs of organizations such as the Homeland Security Department , which has said it aims to hire around 1,000 cybersecurity professionals. If it wants that size of a cybersecurity workforce, it may have to become involved in defining just what a cybersecurity professional is. If new Senate legislation becomes law, DHS could become the lead on this issue for the federal government.

And where will the military’s new Cyber Command stand on this? It has its own view on what cybersecurity means, which include offensive as well as defensive capabilities.

Maybe it’s time for another acronym to be thrown into the mix. We already have the CIO, CTO and CSO. Perhaps there should also be a CCSO. No?