Page 54 - Cyber Warnings

Veteran Skillsets Meet Cybersecurity Needs

Information security positions require a broad range of qualifications, including analytical skills,
problem solving, and the ability to understand the enemy — all of which match the skillsets of
former military personnel.

Job specialties in the cybersecurity field further fit veteran strengths, ranging from penetration
testers, who assess network defenses, to Chief Information Officers (CIOs), who set policies for
entire companies and manage all aspects of IT departments.

Veterans, regardless of any cybersecurity training, also bring strong skills in the areas of
teamwork, data analysis, and threat response, creating the ideal candidate for a career in
cybersecurity.

In addition to the well-matched skill requirements, “U.S. News and World Report” ranked
“Information Security Analyst” as the fifth best technology job for 2015, and the 34th best job
overall. It’s also been estimated that cybersecurity positions pay nine percent more — around
$6,500 annually — than other IT jobs.

With a median annual salary of $88,000 and strong marks for growth and opportunity,
cybersecurity offers veterans a potential career path that is both exciting and financially
rewarding.

Adjusting Position Requirements to Match Candidate Offerings

With so much good news, why are so many cybersecurity jobs left unfilled? Partly to blame is
the industry’s current requirements, which are a bit more demanding than many veterans’
technical certifications can accommodate.

To make it easier for vets to apply for cybersecurity roles, finance and consulting company
PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) has recently changed its cybersecurity job descriptions to
exclude the requirement of a bachelor’s degree.

The firm also acknowledges that the transition from military life to the corporate world can be
daunting. To make the adjustment easier for military hires, each veteran employee is assigned a
“battle buddy.”

Battle buddies are other former military personnel who have already made the successful
transition to corporate culture. They help acclimate new veteran hires and check in with them
throughout their tenure to help ensure longevity and eliminate turnover.

54 Cyber Warnings E-Magazine – May 2016 Edition
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