A total of eight cyber personnel have served in the Federal Rotational Cyber Workforce program, a watchdog report revealed. The program, which began in 2022, aimed to rotate workers between federal agencies to bolster the workforce. Despite its goals, the program saw little use, with only 13 agencies offering 106 positions and receiving 634 applications.
Low Participation Rates
The low participation rates can be attributed to several factors. One major factor was the sharp decline in eligible advertised positions, with 75 positions available in 2023, 31 in 2024, and none in 2025 or 2026. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) had planned to advertise positions on Connect.gov, but due to budgetary constraints, they did not do so and do not intend to invest resources in advertising and managing the program going forward.
Issues with Applicants
Another factor contributing to the low participation rates was the issue with many of the applicants. OPM reported that many applicants were underqualified, did not obtain necessary approval in advance of applying, or were contractors who were not eligible. Additionally, it was often easier for agencies to allow employees to serve cyber rotations within their own agency, rather than participating in the program.
The program was established by bipartisan legislation, with the goal of allowing participating employees to develop knowledge and skills that they can bring back to their home agencies. However, the program's effectiveness was hindered by the low participation rates and the decline in advertised positions.
Program Evaluation and Future
OPM evaluated possible shortcomings in implementing the program in late 2024 and developed plans for improving it, but never followed up on them. As a result, the program will officially end next summer. The Federal Rotational Cyber Workforce program is not the only initiative aimed at addressing the persistent gap in cybersecurity skills and experience, but its failure highlights the challenges faced by such programs.
The program's demise is also reflective of the broader challenges faced by the federal government in addressing cybersecurity workforce gaps. The program's end is a result of budgetary constraints and a lack of investment in advertising and managing the program. The failure of the program serves as a reminder of the need for sustained investment and support in addressing the cybersecurity workforce gap.
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) report highlights the need for more effective initiatives to address the cybersecurity workforce gap. The report notes that the program's goals were not met, and that the low participation rates and decline in advertised positions were major factors contributing to the program's ineffectiveness.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Federal Rotational Cyber Workforce program saw little use, with only eight cyber personnel participating in the program. The program's low participation rates can be attributed to the decline in eligible advertised positions and issues with applicants. The program's demise serves as a reminder of the need for sustained investment and support in addressing the cybersecurity workforce gap. The GAO report highlights the need for more effective initiatives to address this gap, and the federal government must prioritize the development of a robust cybersecurity workforce to meet the evolving threats in the cyber domain.
Source: CyberScoop