http://www.nextgov.com/cybersecurity/2012/05/budget-and-staff-pressures-are-reshaping-federal-cybersecurity-market/55981/ By Aliya Sternstein Nextgov.com May 30, 2012 Budget uncertainties along with cybersecurity staff shortages are forcing agencies to make difficult trade-offs between securing data and maintaining full and open competition in their cybersecurity contracts with vendors, interviews with industry analysts and contract documents show. Analysts estimate the nation is understaffed by between 10,000 and 30,000 cybersecurity experts. When the Homeland Security Department or the Pentagon outsource cybersecurity services to contractors, they often pay a premium because they are competing with banks and other computer-reliant industries for the same small pool of talent, procurement specialists say. “We hear from agencies that those workforce issues start working against budgets,” said Alan Chvotkin, counsel for the Professional Services Council, a contractor trade group. “Professionals in the major leagues or National Basketball Association cost more than folks in the minor leagues. It’s both a budget issue and a workforce policy issue.” Under pressure, some agencies are extending existing contracts or delaying new awards to avoid disrupting critical services. [...] -- Help InfoSec News with a Donation http://www.infosecnews.org/donate.htmlReceived on Thu May 31 2012 - 02:18:34 PDT
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