Jobs for hackers

By David Heath
Wednesday, 16 December 2009 07:01

Business IT - Security

A couple of months ago, the US Dept of Homeland Security announced they wanted to recruit 1,000 cyber security professionals over the next three years.  The process has started.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano announced in October a plan to recruit up to 1,000 cyber security experts to assist with the protection of infrastructure, systems and networks.

"Effective cybersecurity requires all partners—individuals, communities, government entities and the private sector—to work together to protect our networks and strengthen our cyber resiliency," said Secretary Napolitano. "This new hiring authority will enable DHS to recruit the best cyber analysts, developers and engineers in the world to serve their country by leading the nation's defenses against cyber threats."

Bruce Schneier, in his blog reported that Bob Cringley didn't believe there were that many such experts in all of the country.

In the past couple of days, the new "virtual job fair" has been launched.  This outlines the kinds of positions available and the likely salary ($US73,000 to $US153,000).

DHS is specifically seeking expertise in:

* Cyber Incident Response

* Vulnerability Detection and Assessment

* Networks and Systems Engineering

* Cyber Risk and Strategic Analysis

* Intelligence and Investigation

So, if you're a budding hacker who wants to "come in from the cold" and are a US citizen able to gain a Top Secret clearance, here's your chance.