Cyber Workforce, Training and Education RFI
On October 3rd, 2022, the Office of the National Cyber Director, issued a “Request for Information” — an (RFI), asking the public to provide input on “Cyber Workforce, Training, and Education”.
This is an opportunity for researchers, advocates, public servants, community leaders, citizens, and more to raise their ideas and work to the highest levels of government, and set the agenda to ensure that cyber career pathways become more equitable.
Watch a webinar with perspective from ONCD and tips for submitting:
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A Request for Information comes at the beginning of an agency (in this case, ONCD) setting its agenda on a particular topic. An RFI is an open-ended call for expertise, input, and suggestions from all interested.
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This RFI seeks comments in three areas: (1) Cyber Workforce; (2) Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA); and (3) Training, Education and Awareness. We summarize these areas below but also suggest recommend reading the full RFI text.
Area 1: Cyber Workforce. ONCD and its partners are requesting insight on recruitment and hiring, career development and retention, and data collection related to promising approaches. That means assessing how to attract people from communities underrepresented in cybersecurity, improve internships and work-based learning opportunities, and ensure opportunities for continuous career development.
Area 2: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA). DEIA in the cyber workforce and DEIA in cyber training, education, and awareness. This includes finding the best practices and strategies that may be applicable to a diverse cyber workforce. Additionally, feedback into community-wide challenges among underrepresented populations that inhibit cyber education, training, and awareness efforts.
Area 3: Training, Education, Awareness. ONCD and its partners are requesting insight training and postsecondary education, K-12 education, and digital awareness and online safety. They are searching for training models and programs that may have experience or potential in scaling, ensuring that graduates are prepared for work in the field, and various metrics to assess the value of assessments or progress. At the K-12 education level, ONCD would like insight into effective outreach, barriers in providing cyber education, and increasing teachers needed to expand cyber educational programs.
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You can submit your input directly to the ONCD via email at workforce@ncd.eop.gov following the instructions below or click the button to submit information thorough a Google form hosted by POPVOX Foundation.
If you are submitting directly, be sure to follow these instructions:
By November 3, 2022, all interested respondents should submit a written RFI response, in MS Word PDF format, summarizing their recommendations as to questions on which they have expertise and insights for the Government (no longer than 10 pages typed size eleven font) to workforce@ncd.eop.gov with the email subject header “Cyber Workforce RFI Response” and your organization’s name. Title page, cover letter, table of contents, and appendix are not included within the 10-page limit. In the body of the email, also include contact information for your organization (POC Name, Title, Phone, Email, Organization Name, and Organization Address).
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ONCD provided the following criteria that they consider the most valuable:
Easy for Executives to Review and Understand: Modularly organized content, presented in such a fashion that it can be readily lifted (by topic area) and shared with relevant executive stakeholders in an easily consumable format.
Expert: Insights to understand current best practices and approaches applicable to the above topics, as well as new and emerging solutions.
Clearly worded/not vague: Clear, descriptive, and concise language is appreciated. Please avoid generalities and vague statements.
Actionable: Please provide enough high-level detail so that application of information provided can be understood.
Cost Effective & Impactful: Respondents should consider whether their suggestions have a clear return on investment that can be articulated to secure funding and support.
Gordian Knot Solutions and Ideas: Occasionally, challenges that seem to be intractable and overwhelmingly complex can be resolved with a change in perspective that unlocks hidden opportunities and aligns stakeholder interests.
Rachel Augustine Potter, former Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs employee and current Assistant Professor of Politics at UVA and author of “Bending the Rules: Procedural Politicking in the Bureaucracy,” offered another important tip for a successful submission:
Think about the person who will be reading your response: ONCD is a new office staffed by civil servants who want to alleviate the workforce deficit in cyberspace. These folks are dedicated to improving national security and employing a more diverse and inclusive workforce, and are curious and engaged with any new research and information. That said… They also have a lot on their plate! So it pays to make your document as readable as possible, using headings, bullet points, and other organizing features, while also only focusing input on areas in which you have expertise or insight.
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RFI responses are due by November 3, 2022 at midnight.
ONCD and its partners will complete a review of submitted RFI responses by January 6th, 2023.
Based on the review, selected RFI respondents will be invited to participate in a VRSD event. The events will give ONCD and their partners the opportunity to have a dialogue directly with respondents about questions that they have. The sessions also give respondents a chance to present additional relevant information and attendance to a Q&A session.
ONCD’s timeline for the RFI process:
October 3, 2022: RFI Distributed and Posted by ONCD on whitehouse.gov/oncd
October 12, 2022: Deadline for Questions Submitted by Potential Respondents
October 19, 2022: Government RFI Team Posts Answers to Select Questions
November 3, 2022: Deadline for Respondent Submissions
January 6, 2023: Deadline for RFI Team Review of Submissions; VRSD Invitations to Select Respondents
February 3, 2023: Target for Completion of VRSD Sessions
Ready to submit?
Option 1: Submit your input directly to the ONCD
Option 2: Submit your input through a Google form
(Comment period has closed so form has been disabled)
(Comment period has closed so form has been disabled)
