DOD 8140 Readiness: 5 Key Considerations for HR & Learning Leaders
As we move toward the end of 2024, it’s crucial for HR and learning leaders to understand their organization’s readiness for the Department of Defense (DoD) Directive 8140. There are 5 key considerations HR and learning leaders must address when assessing readiness and identifying a compliance plan. And LearnSpectrum is in a unique position to help.
By Nat Emery
CEO and Founder of LearnSpectrum
What Does DoD 8140 Require and by When?
DoD 8140 establishes the framework for training, certification, and management of the DoD’s cybersecurity workforce.
It encompasses the roles that work with DoD systems and data – from information assurance technicians to cybersecurity service providers – and aims to ensure that personnel in those roles possess the necessary skills and knowledge to protect critical DoD systems and data.
Dates will come up faster than you think, so understanding your organization’s readiness is something to think through now.
All DoD civilians and military service members in these roles must be qualified with the associated training and certifications by February 15, 2026.
Foundational Qualifications and reporting must be in place by February 15, 2025.
5 Key DoD 8140 Readiness Considerations for HR & Learning Leaders
Know who is impacted and understand the applicable role-based competencies required
First, you’ll want to identify which of the stated roles exist within your organization and understand the specific competencies required for each role. The good news is that DoD 8140 clearly identifies the roles and categories as well as the skills and knowledge needed.
From there, you’ll want to identify the employees that fall into each role and evaluate whether they hold the appropriate certifications.
Be sure to assess new hires into these roles and consider if any employee needs to be re-certified before February 15, 2026.
Train and certify impacted employees
Once you have your master list of impacted employees, it’s time to get them trained and certified.
The good news is that there are numerous training and certification providers that can help. The not so good news is that, with 21 competencies involved, there are so many it can be overwhelming. Further, you might be required to secure multiple quotes for each course.
To streamline the process, consider a training partner(s) that can support as many of the competencies as possible.
To streamline the process, consider a training partner that can support most if not all the 21 competencies.
- A+ CE
- CASP
- CASP CE
- CCISO
- CCNA-Security
- CCNP
- CEH
- CFR
- CGRC
- CHFI
- CISA
- CISM
- CISSP (or Associate)
- CISSP-ISSAP
- CISSP-ISSEP
- Cloud+
- CND
- CSSLP
- CySA+
- Network+ CE
- Security+ CE
Collaborate with IT and security teams to extend readiness
HR and learning leaders should collaborate closely with internal IT and security teams to extend your organization’s DoD 8140 readiness.
Cross-functional training and joint exercises enhance overall readiness and foster communication and knowledge sharing in the ever-changing cybersecurity space.
Maintain accurate DOD 8140 compliance reporting
You’ve identified impacted employees. You’ve trained and certified them.
But can you prove it?
You want to ensure you have accurate reporting on compliance with DoD 8140. So, maintain records of certifications, training hours, and competency assessments. You’ll also want to regularly review progress and address any gaps promptly. You can also use such reporting to stay on top of recertification dates.
Anticipate future compliance requirements
Promote a culture of continuous learning. The DoD requirements changed once, it’s likely they’ll change again to address cybersecurity. So, your employees must stay updated.
Consider lunch-and-learn sessions, workshops, and access to online courses and encourage participation in industry conferences and webinars.
Most of all, monitor the 21 certifications for updated versions – and the space in general for new cybersecurity certifications – and ensure your employees have the latest certifications.
As we navigate the ever-changing cybersecurity landscape, organizations must prioritize continued workforce readiness. DoD 8140 provides a roadmap, but it’s up to HR and learning leaders to guide their teams toward compliance and excellence.
Why Is LearnSpectrum Focused on DoD Training Requirements?
There are two primary reasons we are laser focused on this space.
We Specialize in Government Contractors
LearnSpectrum doesn’t dabble in everything; we specialize in government contractors’ learning and development. This focus means we understand the unique challenges faced by organizations like yours. It’s why several of the top government contractors are clients.
We Have Comprehensive Training Coverage
DoD 8140 is a complex framework. LearnSpectrum can draw from our network of over 400 learning partners to provide the necessary training requirements for all 21 certifications. We can even provide three price quotes for each certification.
Our DoD 8140 Adoption and Ongoing Compliance solution
What do we propose? An adoption and ongoing compliance solution that ensures impacted employees are and remain certified. It includes three components. Choose one or all three.
Employee Talent Assessment & Alignment
We work with you to evaluate your staff and identify impacted employees and the specific certifications they require.
We also document which employees already have any of the certifications.
Employee Certification
Services
For those that need certification(s), we support the process from end to end.
We draw certifications from our learning partners and provide multiple quotes
for each one. We manage course sourcing, enrollment, and invoicing. We also extend preferred pricing and discounts, where available.
In addition, we deliver recertification requirements to employees with ample time to comply.
Certification
Reporting
We capture and maintain certifications and recertifications. You have current, reliable DoD 8140 certification data at your fingertips via a dashboard, or you can upload the data into your enterprise data management solution.
When it comes to DoD8140 training requirements, LearnSpectrum isn’t just a vendor; we’re a partner. We understand your needs, cover all the bases, and ensure ongoing compliance. So, if you’re wondering who can support your DoD8140 journey, look no further.
Simply visit https://learnspectrum.com/8140.
If you sign up by the end of 1Q 2025, we will provide the first component, Employee Talent Assessment & Alignment for free.
You will have a list of impacted employees, the DoD 8140 certifications they require, and if they already have any, at no cost. In the process, you will get to know LearnSpectrum.
