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Organizations are looking to target a wider pool of candidates to fill vacancies in the sector as cyber skills shortages continue to be a challenge for the sector. This includes retraining workers from other industries, even those not related to technology, such as law and finance.
It recognizes that the technical side of cyber security can be taught to people with the right mindset and soft skills, with initiatives such as the Entry Level Cyber Security Certification (ISC)2 offering career changers the opportunity to rapidly develop the skills, to start a career in the industry.
According to 2021 data from the US Department of Labor, military veterans represent 5.6% of the total civilian workforce in the country, representing a significant group to target for cybersecurity jobs. Additionally, veterans typically have many qualities that make them highly suited to this industry, even without computer experience. This includes teamwork, discipline, strategy, problem solving, and rapid response to changing threats and circumstances.
Additionally, a career in the modern armed forces often provides exposure to a wide range of technical skills. Such skills are equally important in cyber security, where quick reactions, problem solving and adapting to new technologies are often critical to defending against attacks.
As this year’s Veterans Day approaches on November 11, Information security met a military veteran, Chris Wegemann, who built a successful career in cybersecurity after retiring from the armed forces. Lt. Gen. (ret.) Wegemann served in the U.S. Air Force, where he led several defense and cyber initiatives, and is now a managing director at Deloitte & Touche LLP, where he leads critical operations within the organization’s cyber and strategic portfolio risk.
Information security Magazine spoke with him about his transition into cybersecurity and how the industry can benefit from the increased recruitment of the veteran community.
Information security Magazine: How well do the people skills developed from a military career translate to a job in cybersecurity?
Chris Wegemann: Very good. The values and professional competencies developed in the military are fully aligned with cybersecurity roles and missions in the private sector. Both military and private cyber outfits deliver mission-critical outcomes by building and leading high-performing teams, understanding and outsmarting adversaries and threats, and constantly managing and mitigating risks—all while living in an ecosystem of constant change and rapid innovation.
IM: What value do cybersecurity industry veterans bring, both to their organization and to their peers?
CW: Veterans are imbued with fundamental leadership traits, innate values, and demonstrated behaviors that define their quality of character—loyalty, duty, respect, selflessness, honor, integrity, and personal courage. Arguably, these traits and their ability to grow future leaders are industry agnostic, be it cybersecurity or healthcare. At the tactical cybersecurity and defense level, I believe veterans bring an experienced and proven understanding of how to successfully analyze threats and risks to missions and capabilities. They know how to develop and implement highly effective plans to achieve mission success.
IM: What was your own experience entering cyberspace or the industry? Was it more/less difficult than you expected?
CW: I was thrown into cyber operations in 2012 as a new brigadier general. U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff General Mark Welsh informed me that the Air Force needs a proven military fighter to bring cyberspace into action as a war domain across the spectrum of conflicts.
I’m not a technologist per se, but I had 25+ years as an F-16 fighter pilot, leading and commanding forces and capabilities in conflict during four combat tours. I was tasked with teaching and training warfighters from the classical air domain on cyber operations, while also teaching and training cyber operators on classical air warfare concepts and doctrines.
Once I understood that the fundamental doctrine and constructs of warfare and operational maneuver and delivery of effects were domain agnostic, my path was clear and easily attainable. I had to understand cyber capabilities and technology from a military joint functions perspective, not necessarily at the level of the electrical engineering package of the technology.
IM: How can veterans be supported in the transition from a military career to cybersecurity?
CW: In my opinion, transitioning from a military career into cybersecurity is no different than transitioning from the military to a private sector career in healthcare or maintenance. Veterans need access to opportunities, professional credibility through appropriate certifications, and/or reciprocity for special military training and education. Veterans can also benefit from a network of peers and partners in each industry and adjacent industries, along with some mentoring and learning from those who came before them about what worked for them, what didn’t, and why.
IM: How can physical defense practices provide stronger cyber defense practices?
CW: The required functions are the same – see, grasp, block, maneuver, defend and strike. Existing strategies used to achieve physical security and defense can be examined for relevance and then translated into cyber domain-specific missions, functions, and tasks. All of these defensive constructs and their expected outcomes can inform and optimize the way we design, build, secure, operate, and defend cyberspaces.
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