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COMBATING THE RISE OF FEDERALLY AIMED MALICIOUS INTENTCOMBATING THE RISE OF
FEDERALLY AIMED MALICIOUS INTENT

In the future, the cybersecurity landscape likely will depend not only on the
ability of federal workforces to protect their agencies but also on their
capacity to continuously develop and sharpen those skills.

Tony Holmes, Practice Lead, Practice Lead for Solutions Architects in the Public
Sector, Pluralsight

November 15, 2024

4 Min Read
Source: Stuart Miles via Alamy Stock Photo


COMMENTARY

The public sector is facing a security crisis. The acceleration of deepfake
videos, AI-generated threats, and nation-state cyberattacks has put the federal
government under increasing pressure to protect its employees, agencies, and the
general public. Last year, the FBI, the National Security Agency (NSA), and the
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) released details on the
"growing challenge" that deepfake threats present to a range of federal
agencies. 

According to the three groups, "threats from synthetic media such as deepfakes
have exponentially increased — presenting a growing challenge for users of
modern technology and communications." In addition to national critical
infrastructure owners and operators, these users include the National Security
Systems, the Department of Defense, and the Defense Industrial Base.  



What's more, in 2023, the NSA reported that deepfake threats pose "a new set of
challenges to national security." According to the NSA, "organizations and their
employees need to learn to recognize deepfake tradecraft and techniques and have
a plan in place to respond and minimize impact if they come under attack." 



Effectively managing the combination of cyber threats, misinformation, and
disinformation requires coordination across federal agencies. The workforce
within these agencies must possess the most up-to-date cybersecurity skills
possible. Agencies can position themselves to future-proof cybersecurity
strategies and maintain an advantage against threats by training teams on how to
outmaneuver malicious actors. Regularly practicing simulated cyberattacks and
leveraging predetermined incident response plans to mitigate breaches is
crucial.  





THE PUBLIC SECTOR'S CYBER-AI SKILLS GAP 

Against the backdrop of this intricate threat landscape, federal agencies need
tech-proficient employees with a unique set of skills to ensure protection. As
90% of surveyed IT leaders said they don't completely understand their teams' AI
skills and proficiency, there is a clear need for agencies to take action. By
promoting training to improve team members' confidence and enhance their skills,
leaders can engage themselves in the process and better understand the
workforce's strengths and weaknesses. 



As the country transitions into the post-election period, deepfake threats
remain a pressing concern, capable of shaping public perceptions through
deceptive content. Federal employees and the agencies they serve must continue
to bolster defenses against this and other cyber threats by prioritizing
strategic skills development and training. 

These programs should consider existing proficiencies their teams possess and
also foresee what skills are necessary to mitigate threats that may be
detrimental to their agencies and the voting public. Agencies can arm their
technologists with the tools they need to stay one step ahead of threats by
prioritizing skills and implementing active, enterprisewide cybersecurity
measures.  

Efforts to combat cyberattacks at the federal level coincide with the federal
government's campaign to promote high-tech career paths across all of its
agencies to address tech talent shortages. Last year, the Biden administration
launched its National AI Talent Surge to fill open agency positions by
recruiting technology professionals who can "bring their experience, expertise,
and vision into government." This program brings the deficit of skilled
technologists in the public sector into sharp focus.  




AGENCY WORKFORCES NEED THE SKILLS TO BE VIGILANT AGAINST ATTACKS

As cyber threats against government organizations continue, it's critical that
agency workforces have the skills they need to recognize threats, and have the
know-how to respond when an attack occurs. Earlier this year, Ashley Manning,
the US assistant secretary of defense for cyber policy, told a congressional
subcommittee about measures the Department of Defense is taking to counter cyber
threats.  

According to Manning, the US faces cyber challenges, including China's targeting
of US networks in prolonged espionage campaigns, Russia's use of cyberspace to
target critical infrastructure networks, and for-profit cybercriminals who
target an array of vulnerable sectors with ransomware attacks that impact
American citizens.  

To guard against cyberattacks, federal agencies must take a holistic approach to
ensuring that their teams have the skills to keep their networks and data
secure. This includes addressing skills gaps in the workforce, leveraging best
practices in cybersecurity, and creating a culture of continuous learning and
upskilling. By arming their teams with the best possible defense against
threats, agency leaders can empower employees to counteract cyberattacks
effectively.  


CREATE AN ENTERPRISEWIDE KNOWLEDGE BASE TO ENSURE CYBERSECURITY

It's critical for agencies to better understand their teams' current
cybersecurity knowledge by benchmarking the skill sets of their workforce.
Training resources that align with their skills gaps and technologists' needs
include providing content created by industry experts, tracking skill
acquisition, creating forums or community support, and providing hands-on labs.
By implementing individualized learning programs that ensure every employee
receives the necessary training, agencies can build a workforce equipped with
the skills needed to keep their networks and data as secure as possible. 




ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tony Holmes

Practice Lead, Practice Lead for Solutions Architects in the Public Sector,
Pluralsight

Pathological problem solver, and serial question asker, a lifelong student of
mental models, experienced in creating innovative solutions where analogical
ideas meet rigorous socratic method. For more than two decades Tony Holmes has
been solving complex problems for some of the largest, and most forward-thinking
technology organizations in the world, including British Broadcasting
Corporation, Digital Equipment Corporation, Microsoft Research, Opsware, Hewlett
Packard, Oracle, and, currently, Pluralsight, the Technology Skills platform for
the Government. 

See more from Tony Holmes
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