In the modern age of cybersecurity, ensuring that the government workforce tasked with protecting sensitive data is well-trained, certified, and properly managed is crucial. The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) has set out several policies to help achieve this goal, with DoD 8570.01-M and DoDI 8140.02 being two of the most significant directives guiding the cyberspace workforce.
For many, the distinctions between DoD 8570.01-M and DoDI 8140.02 may seem unclear. Both relate to the management of the cybersecurity workforce, but they have different focuses and impacts. In this blog post, we’ll explore these two directives in depth, compare their key elements, and explain how they shape the management of the DoD’s cybersecurity personnel.
What is DoD 8570.01-M?
The DoD 8570.01-M directive, known as the “Information Assurance Workforce Improvement Program,” was introduced to ensure that personnel responsible for the security of information systems were appropriately trained, certified, and capable of performing their duties. The program primarily focuses on certifying professionals in Information Assurance (IA) roles, which includes individuals working in security, network defense, and other key areas of cybersecurity.
DoD 8570.01-M was established to:
- Set baseline certification requirements for IA workforce roles.
- Ensure ongoing education and skills development.
- Track the qualifications of the IA workforce.
Key Elements of DoD 8570.01-M:
- Certification Requirements: The directive mandates that all personnel who work in cybersecurity roles (now known as the “cyber workforce”) must be certified in their areas of expertise. These certifications ensure that individuals possess the necessary skills to manage and protect the DoD’s information systems.
- IA Workforce Categories: DoD 8570.01-M divides the workforce into categories, including Technical and Management tracks. Each track contains various levels of certification that must be obtained, depending on the employee’s role and level of responsibility.
- Continuous Learning: The directive requires ongoing education for the workforce to ensure skills remain current and personnel stay updated on new threats and evolving technology.
More details on the specific certifications required under DoD 8570.01-M can be found on the official DoD website.
What is DoDI 8140.02?
While DoD 8570.01-M laid the groundwork for the certification and training of cybersecurity personnel, it eventually became clear that a more comprehensive and flexible framework was necessary to address the ever-evolving landscape of cyberspace and its workforce.
The DoDI 8140.02, titled “Identification, Tracking, and Reporting of Cyberspace Workforce Requirements,” replaced DoD 8570.01-M as the directive for managing the DoD’s cyber workforce. Issued in 2020, DoDI 8140.02 provides a broader framework for managing the entire cyberspace workforce, including those working in offensive, defensive, and intelligence roles, not just IA personnel.
Key Elements of DoDI 8140.02:
- Expanded Workforce Coverage: DoDI 8140.02 extends beyond Information Assurance roles to include the entire cyberspace workforce. This includes individuals involved in offensive cyber operations, defensive operations, and intelligence roles related to cyberspace activities.
- Workforce Framework: The directive introduces a framework known as the DoD Cyber Workforce Framework (DCWF). This framework categorizes the workforce into specific roles based on their job functions, helping to standardize job descriptions and training requirements across the DoD.
- Skill Tracking and Reporting: A key aspect of DoDI 8140.02 is its emphasis on tracking the skills and capabilities of the cyberspace workforce. This ensures that individuals are placed in roles that match their skills and that their qualifications are regularly reviewed and updated.
To explore the DCWF and other details of DoDI 8140.02, you can visit the official DoD Cyber Workforce page.
DoD 8570.01-M vs. DoDI 8140.02: A Comparison
While both DoD 8570.01-M and DoDI 8140.02 aim to manage and enhance the capabilities of the DoD’s cybersecurity workforce, they have distinct differences. Let’s break down the key areas where these directives differ.
1. Scope and Focus
- DoD 8570.01-M: This directive focuses specifically on Information Assurance (IA) roles within the DoD. It emphasizes certification requirements for technical and managerial roles tasked with safeguarding information systems. The primary goal is to ensure that the IA workforce is certified and capable of performing their security duties.
- DoDI 8140.02: While DoD 8570.01-M targets IA roles, DoDI 8140.02 addresses the entire cyberspace workforce. This includes not only IA roles but also personnel engaged in offensive and defensive cyberspace operations, intelligence gathering, and cybersecurity support roles. DoDI 8140.02 provides a more comprehensive view of the workforce, encompassing all aspects of cyberspace operations.
2. Certification Requirements
- DoD 8570.01-M: The directive is highly focused on specific certification requirements for Information Assurance roles. Individuals must obtain certifications from a designated list to qualify for specific roles. Some of the most common certifications under DoD 8570.01-M include CompTIA Security+, Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), and Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH).
- DoDI 8140.02: While certification remains important, DoDI 8140.02 expands its focus beyond just certifications. The directive emphasizes skill and competency tracking, recognizing that certifications are not the only measure of an individual’s capability. Under the DCWF, there is a focus on continuous skill development, with training tailored to job roles and real-world requirements.
3. Workforce Management
- DoD 8570.01-M: Workforce management under 8570.01-M is centered around ensuring that the IA workforce is properly certified and that those certifications are regularly maintained. It primarily manages personnel by certification level.
- DoDI 8140.02: DoDI 8140.02 introduces the DoD Cyber Workforce Framework (DCWF), which goes beyond certification. It organizes the workforce into specific work roles, providing a more granular and detailed understanding of each individual’s responsibilities. The framework tracks individuals based on skills, certifications, and practical experience.
4. Tracking and Reporting
- DoD 8570.01-M: While DoD 8570.01-M required tracking of certification statuses, its primary focus was ensuring that personnel held the appropriate certifications for their positions.
- DoDI 8140.02: DoDI 8140.02 emphasizes the importance of tracking and reporting all workforce requirements, including certifications, skills, and competencies. This is designed to ensure that personnel are not only certified but also possess the practical skills needed for their specific roles. Regular reporting on workforce capabilities is a key component of this directive.
5. Evolution and Flexibility
- DoD 8570.01-M: While DoD 8570.01-M was a significant advancement in managing the cybersecurity workforce, it was relatively rigid. Its emphasis on certifications often left little room for flexibility in managing evolving skill sets or emerging technologies.
- DoDI 8140.02: This directive reflects the DoD’s recognition that the cyberspace workforce must be adaptable. By introducing a framework that considers certifications, experience, and practical skills, DoDI 8140.02 is much more flexible and future-focused. It allows for ongoing development of the workforce as new technologies and cyber threats emerge.
The Transition from DoD 8570.01-M to DoDI 8140.02
When the DoD introduced DoDI 8140.02, it did not completely invalidate DoD 8570.01-M. Instead, DoDI 8140.02 serves as a more modern, flexible framework that expands upon the foundation set by DoD 8570.01-M. The certification requirements laid out by DoD 8570.01-M remain in place but are now part of a larger framework under DoDI 8140.02.
Organizations and personnel that were initially guided by DoD 8570.01-M for certification will continue to follow those guidelines while transitioning to the more holistic approach offered by DoDI 8140.02. This shift enables the DoD to better track the skills, certifications, and competencies of the entire cyber workforce, ensuring that everyone is equipped to handle the challenges of modern cyberspace operations.
The Future of Cyber Workforce Management
As the cyber threat landscape continues to evolve, managing the skills and capabilities of the workforce responsible for defending information systems becomes even more critical. DoDI 8140.02’s DoD Cyber Workforce Framework (DCWF) is designed to future-proof the cyber workforce by providing a structured, adaptable approach to skill development and workforce tracking.
Moreover, as new technologies emerge, such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and quantum computing, the DoD must ensure that its workforce possesses the right mix of knowledge, practical skills, and certifications. By tracking and continuously developing the capabilities of its personnel, DoDI 8140.02 enables the DoD to stay ahead of cyber threats and maintain a resilient cyber defense strategy.
Conclusion
Both DoD 8570.01-M and DoDI 8140.02 play critical roles in shaping the cybersecurity workforce of the Department of Defense. While DoD 8570.01-M laid the foundation for certifying and maintaining a qualified IA workforce, DoDI 8140.02 builds upon that foundation with a broader, more flexible approach to managing the entire cyberspace workforce.
As the DoD moves forward with the implementation of DoDI 8140.02, it is clear that this directive will provide a more adaptive and effective system for managing the skills, certifications, and competencies of cyber personnel. By embracing the DoD Cyber Workforce Framework (DCWF), the DoD can ensure that its cyber workforce is prepared to meet the challenges of a rapidly evolving digital world.
For more information on DoD 8570.01-M, visit the official DoD 8570 page. To learn more about DoDI 8140.02 and the DoD Cyber Workforce Framework, visit the DoD Cyber Workforce page.
At Tuned Into Security, we help organizations navigate the complexities of DoD cyber workforce requirements, ensuring that your team is fully equipped to meet these standards. Contact us to learn more about how we can assist you.