OPM Looks to Define Cyber Positions

This was written by Jack Mann on Monday, November 23, 2009, 12:05.

In a letter to Chief Human Capital Officers throughout the federal government, John Berry, director at OPM, asked for help in defining cyber security positions. With the recent push towards hiring more cyber security professionals, OPM is seeking to define government wide competency models.

The trouble with cyber security positions, is that a number of different agencies and positions conduct cyber security operations. This makes it difficult for employers and potential applicants to identify opportunities based on job title or organizational schematics.

OPM is looking for Human Capital Officers to provide them with “documents such as position descriptions, vacancy announcements, crediting plans, training plans, performance management plans and any studies or competency models of cybersecurity work in your agency.” OPM is seeking responses by mid January 2010 and has said it will separate out positions based on three areas outlined by the IPC Cybersecurity Working Group.

The areas are:

Domestic Law Enforcement and Counterintelligence

IT Infrastructure, Operations, Maintenance and Information Assurance

Specialized Cybersecurity Operations