U.S. Homeland Security wants to give jobs to Up to 1K Cyber Experts
Job Trends: Homeland Security to Hire Up to 1K Cyber Experts
Posted on 06 October 2009
WASHINGTON – The Obama administration has given a green light to the Homeland Security Department to be more competitive and choosey as it hires up to 1,000 new cyber experts over the next three years, the first major personnel move to fulfill its vow to bolster security of the nation’s computer networks.
The announcement follows a wave of cyber attacks on federal agencies, including a July assault that knocked government Web sites off the Internet and earlier intrusions into the country’s electrical grid.
Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, who made the announcement on Thursday, said the hiring plan reflects the Obama administration’s commitment to improving cyber security. The move gives DHS officials far greater flexibility to hire whom they want, outside of more stringent federal guidelines. And it will also allow more latitude in pay.
As a result, Napolitano told an audience of cyber industry professionals, the new rules “will allow us to be competitive with you all” in luring quality applicants.
Much of the funding already has been budgeted, but DHS also is working with Congress for more money. Officials refused to say how much money the program would represent.
The hiring push also underscores the administration’s ongoing struggle to better organize and manage the country’s vulnerable digital defense. President Barack Obama vowed in February to tackle cyber issues, but still has not named a cyber coordinator, a job that experts say will be difficult to fill.
Napolitano said her department does not anticipate filling all 1,000 positions, which will include cyber analysts, developers and engineers who can detect, investigate and deter cyber attacks.
The secretary’s announcement marked the start of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, which reflects the White House goal to draw more public attention to the need for everyday computer users to exercise more diligence in protecting their online security.
In other comments, Deputy Defense Secretary William Lynn said the Pentagon expects to make decisions in the coming weeks on whether to relax restrictions on the use of external computer flash drives and social media Web sites by members of the military and department employees.
The Pentagon banned the use of flash drives last November because of a virus threat officials detected on Defense Department networks.
-
On the Net:
National Cybersecurity Awareness Month: http://www.dhs.gov/files/programs/gc(underscore)1158611596104.shtm
Do you get emails that ask for your personal information? I get at least 10 a day, all telling me that I've won something, or that I have some long lost uncle that has passed away leaving me millions, or that some guy died in some other country and they need my help dispursing the funds to the beneficiaries. For most of us, we see right through these emails and delete them. But why do they send them? Obviously cause they are working on some poor sucker out there that doesn't know any better.
Below you'll find some real life examples of emails to watch out for that have actually been received in my email inbox.
EMAIL #1
EMAIL ADDRESS SENT FROM: INFO@DTFTD.COM
PERSON SENT FROM: DESK OF FUNDS TRANSFER DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT LINE OF EMAIL: SCAM VICTIMS COMPENSATIONS PAYMENTS
Desk of Funds Transfer Dept.
Standard Chartered Bank
54 Jermyn Street EC2V 7SB
London United Kingdom
24Hours Payment Online
2007/2008 SCAM VICTIMS COMPENSATIONS PAYMENTS.
PAYMENT DISBURSTMENT DEPARTMENT 2007/2008 SCAM VICTIMS COMPENSATION. This
is to bring to your notice that we are delegated from the UNITED NATIONS
and WORLD BANK to pay 150 victims of scam $450,000.00,USD each. You are
listed and approved for this payment as one of the scammed victims to be
paid this amount,send a copy your response to the Registrar Mr micheal
Anderson.
Name:micheal Anderson
SCAMMED VICTIM/REF/PAYMENTS CODE:SCB/07/M08 FOR $450,000.00,USD.
Send a copy of your response to official email:
Email:scdb02@live.com
Yours Faithfully,
Mr.micheal Anderson .
NOTE: The UN/British Government will decline any other complains of scam
should you fall victim again after this compensations is paid and
transferred to you. So be warned.
The strange case of Google <b>News</b> and its “(blog)” label » Nieman <b>…</b>
Last month, Google <b>News</b> made a small and mysterious change to the way it displays some <b>news</b> sources: We're now visibly marking articles published on a <b>news</b>.
Exclusive Interview: Tokio Hotel on <b>New</b> Album, Tour and the Band's <b>…</b>
Having a <b>new</b> album "Humanoid" coming out across United States on October 6, Tokio Hotel exclusively explain to AceShowbiz how they evolve from their previous effort "Scream" to this <b>new</b> one. They also address 'robotic' theme on the …
Valve to spend $25 million on Left 4 Dead 2 ad campaign // <b>News</b>
An advertising spend of USD 25 million is planned for Valve's upcoming Left 4 Dead 2 as the developer prepares for the ti…