Senator Rounds Questions DoD Nominee on Retaining Cyber Talent

Cyber Personnel Retention Challenges

• 🎯 Cyber personnel are crucial for both protecting US forces and projecting effects on adversaries without kinetic means.
• 💡 The Army's Cyber Center of Excellence and Army Cyber Command are commended for their leadership in developing cyber warfighters.
• 🤝 A special relationship exists between Dakota State University (DSU) and Army Cyber Command, involving faculty exchange and training.

Bureaucratic Hurdles in Cyber Facilities

• ⚠️ The reaccreditation of a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF) at DSU has been delayed by bureaucratic hurdles.
• 🚀 A commitment is sought from the nominee to expedite the reaccreditation of the DSU skiff in Madison, South Dakota, and the accreditation of a new facility in Sioux Falls.
• ✅ The nominee acknowledges the importance of cyber capabilities and commits to understanding the reasons for the delays.

DoD Authorities for Cyber Talent Management

• 🔑 The committee has historically supported special authorities for the DoD to manage military and civilian cyber personnel.
• ⚖️ The nominee believes the current cyber accepted service in CyberCom is a good start but notes that DoD is losing civilians to other government agencies with more flexible authorities.
• private sector competition is acknowledged, but the goal is to be on an even footing with other government agencies.

Improving Military Cyber Talent Management

• 📈 The Army's talent management group is seen as a leader in using provided authorities, such as accelerated promotions and flexible career structures.
• 🔗 There is potential to better integrate active and reserve components in cyber, leveraging private sector innovation and experience.
• 🧠 The nominee expresses encouragement regarding the Army's approach to military cyber talent management.