Air Force Aims to Hire More Cyber Experts Through Cyber Direct Commissioning Program

The U.S. Air Force is seeking to attract more cybersecurity professionals through the Cyber Direct Commissioning Program to address cyber workforce requirements. Compared to the service’s traditional hiring process, the program offers cyber experts a faster training period and onboarding process. The CDCP seeks individuals with cyber-related civilian work experience and graduate degrees, the Air Force website reported.

According to Lt. Gen. Leah Lauderback, the Air Force deputy chief of staff for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and cyber effects operations, USAF aims to eliminate the barriers that discourage top cyber talent from joining the service.

Selected CDCP applicants will be given an opportunity to attain officer ranks, including lieutenant and colonel, and receive salaries that match their experience levels. In January, the Air Force selected eight CDCP candidates as cyberspace warfare operation officers and then recommended them for constructive service credit. 

Hiring experienced cyber talent is a challenge not only for the Air Force but also for other U.S. government entities. CyberSeek, an interactive resource for cybersecurity career information, showed that there are over 45,000 open cyber roles in the public sector.

To address the cyber workforce challenge, the Office of Personnel Management is creating a dashboard that will help job seekers look for vacant cyber positions in the government and another for providing agencies with data that will allow them to make informed decisions in improving their hiring practices.