Creating diverse, inclusive work environments can be challenging in even the best circumstances. The increase in remote and telework creates even more challenges to conveying workplace culture to employees who may never set foot in the office. Antonio Scurlock, Office of the Chief Learning Officer, explains how the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has met these challenges.
“We have coalesced into a familiarity of working day to day, even in these remote and teleworking environments,” he said. “CISA has become an entity that ebbs and flows not just on tactical work and operational work, but interpersonal engagement. Its culture is one that’s very much about the people.”
Bringing CISA’s culture to employees, regardless of where they work, relies on documenting it first. “We’ve literally codified the CISA culture with the ‘People First’ aspect, and I’m excited about that,” said Scurlock. “Usually to do a thing, you say and then you write it, and as you document the ideas flow and people engage. CISA’s culture is inclusive and it is about people, it’s about how those people bring themselves and engage with each other to make this mission possible.”
Scurlock has been with CISA since 2011. He joined CISA after retiring from his previous position, but he hopes others will join CISA sooner in their career.
“I would absolutely recommend folks come into CISA, not just as a new career after retirement like I did,” said Scurlock. “I would love to cultivate people straight out of college or straight out of high school. I’ve been at agencies where grandfathers, daughters, and nephews have worked here. That would be exciting for me to see.”
CISA’s culture of inclusion and diversity begins with its commitment to People First and recognizing that no asset is more important than the individuals who work there. To learn more about CISA’s mission and how you can get on board, visit its website.
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