James Clapper Wants More Space Launch Services Competition, DoD to Increase Pay for Cyberworkers

May 28, 2014 - PRLog -- The Defense Deprtment is attempting to keep up with the private sector in cybersecurity hires by passing new legislation to increase incentive pay and bonuses.

The bill asks the service branches to figure out “whether recruiting, retention, and assignment of service members with cyber skills requires bonuses or special and incentive pays.”

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has indicated that DoD’s goal is to have 6,000 professionals with cyber skills by 2016, up from the 1,800 person cyber mission force it expects to have by the end of this year.

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James Clapper, National Intelligence Director, said at the 30th Space Symposium that he likes the idea of increased competition in the space launch industry.

"The capabilities the commercial space has now and the even better capabilities on the near horizon are a critical part of the [intelligence community's] strategic plans," Clapper said.

It is projected that the Pentagon will spend $16 billion on launch services from 2014 to 2018.

"The way to drive down cost, typically, is through competition," Clapper said.

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