A proposed bill would give the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) greater flexibility in attracting top cyber experts, similar to the hiring authorities of the Secretary of Defense.
Under 10 USC Sections 1601‐1603, the defense secretary can make direct appointments and set pay, benefits and incentives to bring cyber professionals into the department. Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.), chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, wants these options for DHS’ Secretary Jeh Johnson via the DHS Cybersecurity Workforce Recruitment and Retention Act of 2014.
“Unfortunately, the demand for cybersecurity experts in the government greatly outpaces the supply and many agencies have had difficulty attracting the best and brightest and retaining those already in service,” Carper said in a statement. “This legislation would help address this problem by giving the Secretary of Homeland Security the personnel authorities the Department needs to improve their ability to compete with the private sector and other agencies to hire and retain the most skilled cyber workforce.”
The legislation passed the committee by voice vote Wednesday morning.
The bill comes after Carper asked DHS Deputy Under Secretary for Cybersecurity Phyllis Schneck during a March hearing what Congress could provide to the department’s cyber mission. Schneck responded that the onboarding process needed to be smoother and DHS needed more money and hiring authority. A former McAfee [MFE] executive, Schneck said additional hiring authority plus the department’s mission could bring in more cyber talent.
“Our mission can meet what their salary offers can meet in another way,” she said.