Monster Government Solutions

Not too long ago research was conducted by Booz Allen Hamilton and Partnership for Public Service pointing to the growing deficit of information security professionals in the federal government.  There is no doubt that there is a great need for these positions, yet it seems that agencies are struggling with finding candidates with the appropriate qualifications.

At this point, it is time for federal agencies to look to military veterans to fill these positions.  In fact, most veterans come “preloaded” with the security mindset that is needed for information security.  Not to mention they have the training that will make it easy for them to transition into these jobs:

• They are disciplined, know the lingo and generally will work harder than a straight civilian.
• In most cases, they have the training on the basic building blocks of security and will likely be more aware of the threats.
• If the veteran candidate has an intelligence background they may also be aware of the inner workings and TTP’s of the “Advanced Persistent Threats”
• Typically they will have more experience than contractor counterparts.  Most veterans have continually been exposed to technology and continually train to ensure that they are on top of the latest advancements.  Not to mention, most military will pay for certifications that contractors generally don’t want to pay for.

There are additional benefits as well that recruiters must consider.  For example, most veterans have been given at least some level of responsibility during their career so when they come onboard, it’s not their first go at accepting responsibility.

Lastly, veterans are used to a regimented lifestyle and they understand the importance of being on-time, reliable, and able to withstand the stresses of an information security environment. They understand the atmosphere that they are entering so they fit into the existing culture, so the likelihood of turnover is low.

Have you considered recruiting a veteran for your federal job needs?  Post a comment here and add your thoughts to the discussion.

By Tim Enright

Business Development Director at Monster Government Solutions

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