A renewed Cyber Workforce Framework released by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), DoD Manual 8140 incorporates and cancels the previously followed DoD Directive 8570. The Directive unifies the DoD’s overall cyber workforce and establishes specific workforce elements to align, manage and standardize cyber work roles, baseline qualifications and training requirements.

DoD 8140 ISC2 Cyber Work RolesISC2 certifications cover 85% of the approved 54 work roles in the new DoD 8140 Cyber Workforce Qualification Provider Marketplace, more than any other provider. All roles (military service, DoD civilians and contractors) are now mapped to the anticipated duties they are to perform using National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE), Cybersecurity Workforce Framework (NCWF) and the DoD Joint Cyberspace Training and Certification Standards (JCT&CS). DoD 8140 mandates roles within the Cyber Workforce Framework will need to complete the certifications, certifications and/or education program aligned to their daily activities within the transition period of 24–36 months.

A renewed Cyber Workforce Framework released by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), DoD Manual 8140 incorporates and cancels the previously followed DoD Directive 8570. The Directive unifies the DoD’s overall cyber workforce and establishes specific workforce elements to align, manage and standardize cyber work roles, baseline qualifications and training requirements.

The working roles are segmented into seven workforce elements: IT (Cyberspace), Cybersecurity, Cyberspace Effects, Intelligence (Cyberspace), Cyberspace Enablers, Software Engineering and AI/Data. The full span of ISC2’s nine certifications are represented in five segments, 46 positions in total.

Our extensive inclusion is a testament to the DoD’s strong recognition of the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), aligning to 24 roles and celebrating its 30th Anniversary this year. ISC2 members hold the highest standard with trusted and prestigious validation of one’s knowledge skills and abilities in the most sensitive and critical environments, like national defense.

Throughout the transition, the DoD invited cybersecurity certification and education providers to submit their certification schemes, certificates and education programs to be approved for use in the DoD marketplace. These programs were evaluated for quality and alignment to multiple workforce roles by matching each program’s contents to the knowledge skills and abilities needed to perform each work role.

The new alignments offer developing leaders more opportunities to enter cybersecurity, opening pathways into the profession by offering certifications that meet the minimum core requirements. ISC2’s Certified in Cybersecurity Certification (CC) aligns to 20 work roles. Those new to cyber can earn this certification with the One Million in Cybersecurity scheme providing participants with free training and a free exam voucher.

More information on DoD 8140 is available at https://public.cyber.mil/wid/dod8140/