Many people wish to work for the Department of Defense (DoD). They may try to get their foot in the door by working for a government contractor or other agency. When doing so, IT professionals must have cybersecurity qualifications known as DoD 8570 compliance. This program is designed to safeguard sensitive information and networks. Individuals must understand the different IAT and IAM levels and how they impact their careers.
DoD 8570 Compliance
When people view job listings, they may see some that say IAT Level I or IAM Level 2. They are confused by these designations. The DoD states any person who is responsible for information assurance for a department IT system must meet specific compliance standards. There are two broad subcategories and two specialties. IAT refers to information assurance technical certification; IAM refers to information assurance management certification. IASAE is an information assurance architecture and engineering specialty, while CSSP references a cybersecurity service provider.
IAT or IAM?
People may wonder whether they should pursue IAT or IAM certification. IAT certification is for those who do hands-on technical work involving information system security. They may configure firewalls or respond to security incidents. Individuals taking on these tasks function at the operational level, aiming to implement and maintain technical security measures. IAM-certified professionals oversee an organization's information systems security. They create security policies and procedures while addressing security threats. Furthermore, they ensure the systems comply with security regulations and standards. These individuals serve at the strategic level as they work to manage and coordinate an organization's security efforts.
DoD 8570 Compliance
DoD 8570 compliance requires certifications to be approved by the DoD. These certifications show an individual has fulfilled specific knowledge and skill requirements for different DoD positions. The training and certification requirements vary by position, and information assurance roles fall into three categories. Information assurance technical, information assurance management, and information assurance system architecture and engineering roles may be level 1, 2, or 3. Level 1 workers handle the installation and operation of information technology systems. They are tasked with applying security procedures and inputting assets into a vulnerability management system. Those with level 2 certification may support end users or manage their accounts. They also handle system performance analyses. When a person has level 3 certification, they oversee operational processes and structures while directing teams. A person must progress through the levels.
DoD Approved Certifications
The DoD 8570 Manual outlines the certifications required for each job based on its role. Some certifications are vendor-neutral, while others are job-specific. Once a person becomes certified, they must receive continuing education to maintain the certification. This continuing education may include conferences, workshops, online training modules, or training courses. Each certification and job role has specific continuing education requirements. Requirements may vary based on the person's experience level, the needs of the organization, and the scope of the job role. The Department of Defense updated its manual in February 2023. This DoD Manual 8140 Manual replaces the DoD 8750 Manual. This update unified the cyber workforce under one framework, and individuals need to monitor updates to ensure they comply with certification requirements.
Many internal DoD and contractor positions require compliance with DoD 8570. The agency requires these certifications to safeguard sensitive networks and information and ensure employees have the skills and expertise to address and mitigate security risks. Learn more today about certification options to discover which will help advance your career.
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