H1-B Visas Critical to Address Cybersecurity Professional Shortfall

Based on the findings of the 2017 Global Information Security Workforce Study, the world will face a deficit of 1.8 million information security professionals by 2022. With headlines dominated by breaches and cyber threats, we at (ISC)² need to be a strong voice and advocate for the global cybersecurity workforce.

It is for this reason that I sent a letter to White House Chief of Staff, Reince Priebus, on behalf of the (ISC)² organization and our members across the globe, to provide feedback on President Trump’s Executive Order, which directed the Department of Homeland Security to review how it issues H1-B visas.

Even after giving U.S. citizens priority consideration for open cybersecurity positions, we will still face a substantial talent shortfall, which can be mitigated with an H-1B visa program that helps bring skilled and trained workers from other countries to fill these roles.

(ISC)² suggests our Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certification as one way to verify cybersecurity professionals for H-1B visas. The CISSP was the first credential in the field of information security to meet the stringent requirements of ISO/IEC Standard 17024, and is also Department of Defense 8140/8570 approved. Professionals with the CISSP have proven their knowledge and experience in the field. Our members also must abide by a standard code of ethics, which includes the following canon: “protect society, the common good, necessary public trust and confidence and the infrastructure.”

We do not want to prevent talented cybersecurity professionals, such as our global members, from offering their expertise to benefit the U.S. economy.

I recently testified in a Subcommittee on Information Technology on ways that the United States can improve the federal IT workforce. We also provided recommendations to the Trump administration on how to improve the current status of the federal cybersecurity workforce. Utilizing the expertise and experience of our membership, these recommendations were created following our 2016 federal CISO forum, which included members of the (ISC)² U.S. Government Advisory Council (USGAC) and other federal CISOs and executives who participated in discussions surrounding these critical considerations.

(ISC)² hopes to establish a constructive dialogue with the Trump administration as they strengthen cybersecurity for our country.

Dan Waddell, CISSP, CAP, PMP
Regional Managing Director, North America Region, (ISC)²

[(ISC)² Blog]