The Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Information Dominance (OPNAV N2/N6) Vice Adm. Ted N. Branch issued NAVADMIN 084/15 which changes the deadline requiring completion of 40 cybersecurity continuous education units (CEUs) to fiscal year vice calendar year to better align mission and resource requirements throughout the Navy. This shift does not affect the individual’s Cybersecurity Credentialing requirements timeline. NAVADMIN 084/15 supersedes all other guidance.
As a result, the 31 March 2015 deadline is extended. Commanders and Command Information Officers are directed to comply with Secretary of the Navy Instruction (SECNAVINST 1543.2) of 30 November 2012, Cyberspace/Information Technology Workforce Continuous Learning, and SECNAV-M 5239.2 of May 2009, Department of the Navy Information Assurance (IA) Workforce Management Manual to Support the IA Workforce Improvement Program, for remediation of the stated workforce deficiencies no later than 30 September 2015.
All Navy Cybersecurity Workforce (CSWF) personnel, active duty, reserve, civilian, and contractor, are required to hold valid cybersecurity baseline credentials and complete 40 hours of continuing education units each year. Failure to complete this annual requirement and maintain the appropriate credential for a cybersecurity position places the employee at risk for removal from the CSWF position requiring credentials. Expired commercial certifications are a demonstration of non-compliance with prescribed Defense Department and Secretary of the Navy policies.
The NAVADMIN applies to all designated Navy CSWF personnel assigned to CSWF positions for six months or more. In accordance with SECNAVINST 1543.2 and SECNAV-M 5239.2 personnel may complete a combination of position relevant training, education, experiential learning, and commercial certification activities to fulfill the 40-hour annual CEU requirement.
Department of the Navy Chief Information Officer conferences, and courses via Federal Virtual Training Environment, Skillport, and Navy Knowledge Online are examples of activities that may qualify for continuing education units.
To assist personnel with maintaining valid commercial certifications, CSWF personnel may continue to request vouchers from Navy Credentialing Opportunities On-line (COOL) to fund the annual continuing education and/or maintenance fees. Navy COOL will not pay for any recertifying activities for an expired certification. Further information is available at the Navy COOL website https://www.cool.navy.mil/.
CSWF personnel who fail to complete the aforementioned requirements are not qualified to serve in CSWF positions, negatively impact command readiness, and weaken the Navy’s overall cybersecurity posture.
Points of contact are as follows: Policy - Ms. Brooke Zimmerman at (571) 256-8521 or brooke.zimmerman@navy.mil; Navy Cybersecurity Workforce.
Program Management (CSWF-PM) Office - Mr. Mike Knight at (757) 203-3135 or henry.knight@navy.mil; Navy Cool - Mr. Keith Boring at (850) 452-6683 or keith.boring@navy.mil.