Career Outlook
by Editors
editors@ccgmag.com
SPOTLIGHT ON SPY AGENCIES
Careers working for the top spy agencies have evolved from research and undercover work surveying espionage and anarchy threats to working with teams of computer experts protecting the nation against cyber attacks. In July 2010, during his keynote address at the technological security conference Black Hat, retired General Michael Hayden, a former director of the CIA, explained that the Internet was not created with defense in mind. Conse- quently, cyber warfare was inevitable.
The top spy agencies are dedicated to recognizing and thwarting both internal and external cyber security threats. Just as President Barack Obama recognized October as National Cyber Security Awareness Month, a press release from the U.S. Justice Depart- ment in October 2010 revealed that an employee for Akamai Inc. was arrested for revealing computer security systems information to an undercover FBI agent. The employee believed he was shar- ing the information with a foreign country.
National security agencies such as the CIA, NSA and DHS have invested tens of millions of dollars in advanced technology for warding off cyber threats. The agencies are utilizing technology for gathering cyber intelligence and other offensive maneuvers, and now these government entities are hiring innovative person- nel willing to embrace challenging careers in defending national security.
Central Intelligence Agency
The CIA recently
unveiled CIA 2015, a five- year blueprint for enhanc- ing the CIA workforce and technology
prowess and implementing a proactive stance on national security challenges. In this plan, the CIA will be hiring and training talented individuals with various educational backgrounds and experi- ences to create a diverse workforce. Additionally, the plan calls for further investments in technology and an en- hanced global presence.
Recognizing the limitations of agency personnel spending valuable research time developing technology, the CIA launched In-Q-Tel (IQT) in the late 1990s for identifying and creating tech- nology solutions for the U.S. intelligence community. These solutions target
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cyber-technology threats, but IQT has also partnered with other companies for designing advancements in audio and video surveillance.
If enhancing the security of our nation and supporting top secret missions sounds appealing, you should browse careers with the CIA. There are numer- ous opportunities for those with an undergraduate or master’s degree in a variety of specializations such as a com- puter forensics engineer or technical/ targeting analyst.
As a CIA computer forensics engineer, you would be thoroughly engrossed in exploring the latest digital forensic technologies and scanning electronic media for intelligence retrieval. For this position, the CIA requires a minimum of five years’ experience in computer security, forensics or investigations.
Technical/targeting analyst applicants can expect a fast-paced environment focusing on gathering intelligence to
combat terrorism and cyber threats. To qualify for this position, you should be technology savvy and have a bachelor’s degree in computer science, chemistry, engineering or related disciplines.
Anyone applying for a position with the CIA will undergo medical and psycho- logical exams, polygraph interviews, and background checks. All applicants must be United States citizens and be drug-free.
National Security Agency
The National Security Agency/Cen- tral Security Service (NSA/CSS) of- fers government-wide defense to the Department of Defense, intelligence communities and even select allies. Con- sidered one of the most secretive of the United States spy agencies, the NSA has specialized in surveillance, research and deciphering foreign computer codes and messages.
In 2010 the NSA launched a new HISPANIC ENGINEER & Information Technology | 2011 51
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