Federal tech talent crisis threatens national security: expert

SkillStorm CEO Justin Vianello is on a mission to address the federal government’s longstanding issues with hiring workers in key roles like cybersecurity and technology. In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, Vianello highlighted the challenges the government faces in attracting and retaining top talent, often leading to national security concerns.

One of the main issues Vianello discussed is the lengthy and laborious hiring process that can take years to complete, causing delays in deploying teams efficiently. To combat this, SkillStorm has developed a Performance Acceleration Center for Excellence, a training system that allows for custom-built teams with the right skills and certifications to be rapidly deployed.

Vianello explained that SkillStorm’s model involves training individuals for 10 to 16 weeks, helping them achieve certifications, and then deploying them to work on specific projects. The company takes on all the upfront risk and recovers its investment by billing hourly to the client, creating a cost-effective solution for building tech teams.

In addition to streamlining the hiring process, Vianello emphasized the importance of investing in programs like SkillStorm to address the shortage of cybersecurity experts and AI innovators in the country. With 500,000 open cybersecurity roles as of January 2025, there is a pressing need to develop the next generation of talent to protect national security and drive innovation.

Former General Services Administration head Emily Murphy echoed Vianello’s sentiments, noting that outdated federal systems pose a serious threat to national security. She emphasized the need for a new pipeline that delivers clearance-eligible, project-ready professionals trained on mission-specific tools, a gap that SkillStorm aims to fill with its trained “Stormers” at a discounted rate.

Vianello also highlighted the alignment between SkillStorm and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in making government operations more efficient. He emphasized the importance of tightening the solicitation process and ensuring that technology is implemented in a timely manner to attract young technologists who want to be part of transformative change.

Overall, SkillStorm’s innovative approach to talent acquisition and deployment offers a promising solution to the federal government’s hiring challenges, paving the way for a more efficient and secure workforce in key technical roles.