Federal IT/Cybersecurity Recruitment & Retention Guide
A strong, agile tech/cyber workforce is our best tool for managing our rapidly changing cybersecurity environment. Agencies can use a variety of hiring authorities and incentives to recruit and retain top tech talent for the Federal workforce.
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Cybersecurity hiring flexibilities to quickly hire and onboard top talent from senior professionals to entry level recent graduate. Options include:
- Direct Hire Authority for STEM and Cybersecurity-related Positions
- Delegation of Direct Hire Appointing Authority for IT Positions
- CyberCorps: Scholarship for Service, a governmentwide program that provides scholarships to cybersecurity students in exchange for government service upon graduation.
- Special hiring authorities for veterans
Interpretive Guidance for Cybersecurity Positions(PDF file) to help agencies attract, hire, and retain a highly skilled cybersecurity workforce.
The Cyber Careers Pathways Tool, an interactive way to explore work roles and attributes in the cyber careers community.
Federal IT/Cybersecurity: Governmentwide Recruitment and Retention Authorities is a useful reference that summarizes the available authorities and incentives.
Federal Rotational Cyber Workforce Program to develop cyber employees’ knowledge and skills; advance career opportunities; and support employee engagement, satisfaction, and retention.
Cybersecurity pay and leave flexibilities(PDF file) to recruit and retain cybersecurity employees at every career level. Flexibilities include special rates, recruitment, retention and relocation incentives, superior qualifications and special needs pay-setting authority, Federal student loan repayment program, creditable service for annual leave accrual and critical pay.
Rotational and developmental programs to continue to build and mature a pipeline of cybersecurity talent and leaders.
The U.S. Digital Corps, a two-year fellowship for early career technologists who work to make a difference in critical impact areas including pandemic response, economic recovery, cybersecurity, and racial equity.
The Federal Academic Alliance, access to degree programs and courses at a reduced tuition rate – in tech/cyber and other areas. This program is a benefit that Federal employees can take advantage of at their own pace to pursue or enhance their higher academic education. Some of the agreements extend the benefits to spouses and legal dependents.
Federal Virtual Training Environment (FedVTE) is a free online, on-demand cybersecurity training system that is available for government personnel and veterans. Managed by the Department of Homeland Security, FedVTE contains more than 800 hours of training on topics such as ethical hacking and surveillance, risk management, and malware analysis. Course proficiency ranges from beginner to advanced levels. Several courses align with a variety of IT certifications such as Network +, Security +, and Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).
The NICCS Education and Training Catalog is the central resource connecting the public with over 2,800 cybersecurity-related courses where cyber professionals across the Nation can find courses to add to their skill set, increase their level of expertise, earn a certification, or even transition into a new career.
Federal Government Leadership Development Programs (FedLDP) – catalogue of programs offered by Federal departments and agencies to foster the development of leadership skills in their employees.