The 'Iron is Hot' to Grow Cyber Jobs and Fix Cyber Security Clearance Backlog
The cyber sector is one of the most promising job creation opportunities for our state. How do we maximize that job growth? Our survey of cyber industry professionals revealed that the national backlog of hundreds of thousands of security clearance applications blocks West Virginia’s ability to offer more jobs in cyber and intel today. WV Forward and the Discover the Real West Virginia Foundation partnered to conduct industry interviews and host a workshop with industry, government and education to expedite job creation. At our workshop last week, federal agencies reported their new focus on the clearance backlog and gathered solutions from business leaders that were taken back to Washington.
Participants included Senator Joe Manchin, who is a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, Aaron Spork from the office of Senator Shelley Moore Capito, and representatives from the National Guard, federal agencies, industry and education. The workshop was held at Pierpont Community and Technical College's Advanced Technology Center in Fairmont, West Virginia. Tom Heywood, board member of DRWV Foundation and managing partner at Bowles Rice LLP, facilitated the event.
During the discussion, government officials conveyed that "the iron is hot" for industry to provide input as federal agencies begin to streamline processes by leveraging technology and looking at the underlying issues that impede granting qualified individuals security clearances. Federal agencies committed to use proffered suggestions in their newly launched effort to improve the security clearance protocols; a progress report is expected next year.
Another pressing need identified was a better way to educate future professionals about job requirements in this field. WV Forward is producing a guide for young people interested in cyber and related sectors to help navigate the clearance process including disqualifying factors that could derail a security clearance and potential job, and it will highlight West Virginia jobs in this field. If you are interested in this guide, please email WV Forward at wvforward@mail.wvu.edu.
Participants included Senator Joe Manchin, who is a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, Aaron Spork from the office of Senator Shelley Moore Capito, and representatives from the National Guard, federal agencies, industry and education. The workshop was held at Pierpont Community and Technical College's Advanced Technology Center in Fairmont, West Virginia. Tom Heywood, board member of DRWV Foundation and managing partner at Bowles Rice LLP, facilitated the event.
During the discussion, government officials conveyed that "the iron is hot" for industry to provide input as federal agencies begin to streamline processes by leveraging technology and looking at the underlying issues that impede granting qualified individuals security clearances. Federal agencies committed to use proffered suggestions in their newly launched effort to improve the security clearance protocols; a progress report is expected next year.
Another pressing need identified was a better way to educate future professionals about job requirements in this field. WV Forward is producing a guide for young people interested in cyber and related sectors to help navigate the clearance process including disqualifying factors that could derail a security clearance and potential job, and it will highlight West Virginia jobs in this field. If you are interested in this guide, please email WV Forward at wvforward@mail.wvu.edu.
- Read the Exponent Telegram article on WV cybersecurity "wave" - Experts: W.Va.'s high tech wave focused on cybersecurity