The cybersecurity industry is facing a critical shortage of skilled professionals as threats from nation-state actors and cybercriminals escalate fueled by easy access to AI tools. Many U.S. companies are considering offshore solutions to bridge this gap. However, a highly qualified talent pool exists domestically: military veterans and government IT professionals. Recent Department of Government Efficiency initiatives, driven by Elon Musk’s cost cutting efforts, make tapping into this critical source of talent more pertinent than ever.
The current Trump administration has announced plans to cut 83,000 jobs from the Veterans Administration, reducing staffing to 2019 levels. This move has sparked concerns among veterans about their benefits and future employment prospects. In response, veterans staged protests in Washington, D.C., pushing back not only against these cuts but also broader policy shifts.
This situation presents a unique opportunity for the cybersecurity sector to address its talent shortage while supporting veterans transitioning to civilian careers. As the Trump administration shifts more responsibilities and jobs to the private sector, many of these roles cannot be outsourced to foreign countries as they demand trusted, U.S.-based professionals.
Trained To Combat Advanced Threats
Veterans and government-trained professionals are not entry-level IT workers. They have spent their careers identifying and neutralizing threats from sophisticated adversaries. Many possess hands-on experience in cyber forensics, red teaming, and large-scale network defense — skills developed in environments where failure is not an option.
As one veteran noted, “In the military, if your officer goes down, you’re trained to pick up the mission and lead. That ability to think critically under pressure directly translates to cybersecurity.”
Mission-Oriented, Crisis-Tested and Disciplined
Cybersecurity requires teamwork and relentless focus. Veterans excel under pressure, having trained for years in mission-critical environments. They don’t just react to threats — they anticipate, triage, and neutralize them.
Yurena Burgess, a veteran transitioning from nursing to cybersecurity, shared, “In both roles, you must triage threats quickly, solve problems with limited information, and adapt fast. That mindset is what I’m bringing to the cybersecurity industry.”
Built-In Compliance And Clearance Advantages
For companies working with government contracts or sensitive data, veterans offer a significant compliance edge. Many already hold active security clearances — a process that can take months or even years to complete. Hiring veterans with clearances in place allows companies to fast-track onboarding and avoid compliance pitfalls.
With growing concerns around insider threats and offshore risks, U.S.-based cyber professionals provide greater security and accountability. Cybersecurity is fundamentally about trust. Alarmingly, 66% of data breaches involve an insider, yet only 10% of security budgets are focused on internal threats, according to industry experts. When you outsource critical functions, prosecuting an insider threat in distant regions like Southeast Asia or Latin America — where cybercrime laws may be outdated or unenforced — becomes exceedingly challenging. It is hard enough to prove and prosecute cybersecurity crimes domestically; attempting to do so in a foreign jurisdiction adds layers of complexity. The insider threat is real and remains one of the most significant concerns facing cybersecurity leaders today.
Case Study: Colorado Springs
In Colorado Springs, the fusion of five military installations and five NSA-certified schools has created a hotbed of cybersecurity talent. Over 125 cyber companies operate in the region, and firms like BlueStaq LLC actively recruit veterans through programs like Hire Our Heroes Corporate Fellowships.
At the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, 30% of students are military-affiliated. Director Gretchen Bliss has led initiatives such as Cyber First Fridays, a monthly networking event that brings together students, veterans, and employers for direct talent placement.
“We don’t let veterans graduate and leave. We keep a very strong relationship with them. They come back, motivate others, and build a perpetual spiral of success,” Bliss explained.
Case Study: Fairfax County
Fairfax County, Virginia, home to 65,000 veterans and 13,000 active personnel, is another model for veteran integration. The Virginia Values Veterans program placed 1,400 veterans and spouses into jobs last quarter alone, often with top-tier defense contractors like SAIC, Peraton, and Northrop Grumman.
Victor Hoskins, CEO of the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority, emphasized the impact: “Cybersecurity talent is mission-critical — either cyber defense, cyber offense, or cyber protection in the field. Veterans have already done the job.”
The Offshore Dilemma
Offshoring may reduce labor costs, but it introduces significant security and legal risks. Many foreign jurisdictions lack robust cybercrime enforcement or tend to favor local defendants in legal disputes, making prosecution of overseas intellectual property theft challenging. For example, the case of Motorola Solutions versus Hytera Communications illustrates this risk. Hytera, a China-based company, recruited Motorola engineers in Malaysia to misappropriate proprietary information, leading to the global sale of similar products. Although Motorola was awarded substantial damages, the enforcement of such judgments across borders remains complex and uncertain.
Insider threats further compound these challenges, specially that we now see hackers exploiting this specific insider vector. A notable incident involved an American company that inadvertently hired a North Korean IT worker posing as a remote freelancer. After being terminated, the worker exploited his access to steal sensitive data and attempted to extort the company for a six-figure sum in cryptocurrency. This case underscores the critical need for rigorous vetting processes to prevent such security breaches.
That said, offshoring still has its place within the IT services arena and broader technology spectrum. There are instances where global delivery models make sense particularly for commodity services, around-the-clock support or non-sensitive operations. However, offshoring must be approached with nuance, strategic planning and robust safeguards. It cannot be done in a hurry or haphazardly. The risks of cutting corners — whether through lax vetting, poor oversight, or underestimating jurisdictional challenges — can far outweigh the financial savings.
Veterans, with their security clearances and allegiance to U.S. interests, offer a secure, compliant, and reliable alternative to offshore talent. Their integration into the cybersecurity workforce not only mitigates these risks but also capitalizes on a disciplined and mission-oriented talent pool.
The Time To Act Is Now
The U.S. military invested $11.2 billion in cybersecurity in 2023 alone, training professionals who are now entering the civilian workforce. Companies that act quickly can gain first access to this elite talent. Those who hesitate may be left competing for a dwindling pool.
Rather than just outsourcing cybersecurity to offshore locations, firms should also invest in homegrown talent. Veterans have already proven they can defend the country — now let us enable them them defend our civilian networks.
The cybersecurity war is here. The defenders are ready and available. It’s time to hire those who have been fighting these battles for us all along.
