In today’s rapidly evolving workplace, the need for greater flexibility within the national security workforce is becoming increasingly apparent. Leaders across various sectors are recognizing that the traditional 9-to-5 workweek, rooted in the industrial age, is no longer sufficient to meet the demands of the information age.
Meeting the Needs of the Future National Security Workforce
During a breakout session at INSA’s Intelligence & National Security Summit, Sue Kalweit a managing director at Deloitte highlighted that the incoming workforce, particularly those entering around 2030, will have fundamentally different expectations shaped by the pandemic. Flexibility in the workplace is no longer a luxury but a necessity. “Not every individual can do whatever they want,” noted Christine Parker, NSA Senior Strategist/Acting Senior Advisor to the Chief Human Capital Officer, “but they certainly can have more today.” This shift towards flexibility is being driven by the need to merge personal and mission-critical needs, an effort that Parker emphasized must continue.
Microsoft’s Justin Weissbrod pointed out that the pandemic accelerated the move from a presence-driven outcome to a results-driven outcome, challenging the old notion that productivity requires constant physical presence. Weissbrod quipped, “Butts in seats doesn’t work” as he described the way that many have functioned in the national security space for decades.
Deputy Assistant National Cyber Director Office of the National Cyber Director Daniel Ragsdale underscored the importance of continuing initiatives that offer flexibility, particularly for classified communities. This includes investing in new technologies like mobile SCIFs that can support these flexibilities. Ragsdale shared, “We applaud any efforts that create opportunities that offer different options for classified communities.” While we need the policy in place to make changes, we also need to see the technology built that supports the needs of the future.
Maisha Glover, partner at McKinsey & Co. emphasized that the 40-hour workweek is an outdated concept, originating from assembly line models. She noted that both men and women benefit from flexible work environments, which can reduce unpleasant interactions and improve overall job satisfaction. Glover also stressed the need for clear goals and sustainable team norms to empower a multigenerational workforce.
An evolving Workforce
Thriving in the national security sector requires a variety of skills and experiences. Parker pointed out that while technical skills like cybersecurity and math are essential, soft skills such as adaptability and resilience are equally important. Because the nature of work will be continually changing, along with the threats we face, we need a workforce that have the soft skills too. Parker noted, “Soft skills are major separators” when you’re looking at hiring candidates.
As the workforce continues to evolve, it’s clear that flexibility, technology, and clear communication will play pivotal roles in shaping the future of work within the national security community. The mission remains constant, but the ways in which it is achieved must adapt to meet the needs of both the people and the evolving global landscape. Ragsdale said, “We work on something larger than ourselves, and we have to share that message with the next generation too.”
