Computing Technology Industry Association - House Subcommittee on Information Technology Hearing Testimony - Review of Federal IT Workforce Challenges and Solutions - April 4, 2017

Sep 20, 2026

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Testimony delivered by the Computing Technology Industry Association Subcommittee on Information Technology outlines federal IT workforce challenges and proposes solutions. It explains CompTIA’s role as a nonprofit IT industry body issuing vendor-neutral certifications, including A+, Network+, Security+, and CSA+. The testimony describes how public-private partnerships and refreshed, performance-based exams support continuous skills development. It highlights the Department of Defense model, retention and veteran transition benefits, and recommends government leadership and potential updates to the GETA to enable training resources for industry-recognized certifications.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages11

Reading Time28 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction to CompTIA

Establishing Frameworks through Public-Private Partnerships

Certification pathways and exam refresh cycles

Government initiatives and workforce outcomes

DoD up-skilling, retention, and veterans’ transitions

Policy considerations and recommendations

The Computing Technology Industry Association Subcommittee on Information Technology of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Hearing Testimony: “Reviewing Federal I.T. Workforce Challenges and Possible Solutions” April 4, 2017 Introduction to CompTIA We commend the Subcommittee on Information Technology of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee for holding this hearing to solicit input regarding federal information technology (IT) workforce challenges and solutions, particularly in cybersecurity and as it relates to industry certifications . CompTIA is a non-profit, high-tech trade association with approximately 2,000 member companies, 3,000 academic and training partners, and over 100,000 registered users . CompTIA is the second largest IT certifying body in the world with more than two million vendor-neutral certifications issued globally. The CompTIA certifications most commonly recommended or required by federal agencies (CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network +, CompTIA Security+, and CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner) are International Standard ANSI/ISO/IEC 17024 certified. 1 Through all our activities , CompTIA is dedicated to advancing industry growth and workforce development through educational programs, market research, networking events, professional certifications , and public policy advocacy. 1 In March, CompTIA unveiled a new exam to this suite of offerings: CompTIA Cyber Security Analyst or the CSA+ certification, which offers broad-spectrum validation of knowledge and skills required to configure and use cyber-threat detection tools, perform data analysis and interpret the results to identify vulnerabilities, threats and risks to an organization . COMPUTING TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION HOUSE SUBCOMMITTEE ON INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY April 4, 2017 CompTIA welcomes the opportunity to discuss the federal workforce amidst a world defined by digitization and interconnectivity. Shortcomings in IT and cybersecurity expertise and experience make for an ever-more precarious situation . Government and the private sector alike have a challenge: to have in place the right skilled workforce to utilize technology, enhance productivity, and mitigate and manage security threats . We would like to share with you CompTIA’s experience in working with the Federal government to enhance IT workforce skills; why we believe that workforce certifications fill a vital role in skilling the federal workforce; and what creative solutions for ensuring we have a skilled and able federal workforce are currently being discussed. Helping to Establish Frameworks and Knowledge through Public-Private Partnerships In many ways, the creation of CompTIA certifications, and those of many of our bretheren certifying bodies, have established a de facto framework for cybersecurity providing a pathway from entry-level to expert. For example, nearly a half million people are CompTIA Security+ certified. Cyber is also a crucial component of foundational IT certifications like CompTIA A+ and Network+. And CompTIA recently introduced Cyber Security Analyst (CSA+) to address the growing importance of big data analytics in cyber defense . CompTIA exams are refreshed continually and undergo a complete rebuild every three years . They include practical knowledge based and performance based (simulation) questions that require test takers to have the knowledge they need to fill job roles . For credentials to remain valid after three years IT pros must commit to continuing education to prove their knowledge is up to date with the latest trends. As the number of CompTIA certification holders has grown, we have sought to share and translate many of the lessons learned in creating and deploying these certifications with government as it has sought to create frameworks and standards to train and validate government employee skills in IT and cybersecurity. To summarize, certifications are used to help professionali

FAQs

What workforce challenges and solutions does the testimony address?

It focuses on federal information technology and cybersecurity workforce challenges and the need for right-skills solutions, particularly through industry certifications and education.

Why does CompTIA emphasize cybersecurity certifications for the federal workforce?

The testimony argues that certifications professionalize the cyber workforce, provide a common skills lexicon, and support validation of knowledge for practical job roles.

What examples from the Department of Defense are used to support the proposals?

The testimony cites DoD initiatives requiring certain personnel and contractors to hold specified cybersecurity certifications, highlighting benefits for national security, training value, retention, and veterans’ transition to civilian work.

Sep 20, 2026

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