Modernizing the intelligence community (IC) to take on tomorrow’s challenges requires a multidimensional perspective. See examples of how intelligence agencies are using a hybrid workforce model to propel the mission forward.
What is the hybrid workforce? It’s a framework that could allow the IC to use digital experts, skilled but not yet cleared, to accelerate classified missions. In the case of our program, we found success in using uncleared technical talent to develop code which the already-cleared team securely migrates to classified networks. National security agencies receive advantages across three dimensions, working with teams which are:
This evolved way of working provides multiple advantages. Beyond rapid development of highly technical work, it boosts productivity, morale, and resiliency. And the flexible mindset supports new thinking to modernize IC infrastructure, with processes and policies providing new efficiencies. Here are some of the benefits agencies are experiencing with the hybrid workforce model.
Instead of competing with private industry for cleared professionals exclusively in DC, the IC could explore opening up opportunities across the nation. From Silicon Valley to college towns, talent in remote locations can help move the intelligence ecosystem forward.
The IC can increase innovation by accessing uncleared technical talent anywhere, including on the West Coast where experts in niche capabilities can be brought on for special aerospace, defense industrial base, and scientific challenges. Intelligence agencies can also access cleared talent in varied geographies. For example, Booz Allen offers cleared facilities in states as diverse as Georgia, Colorado, and California.
Organizations can use contractor SCIF space in areas offering high real estate values, allowing the IC to bring team members in and out as the mission requires. Creating ongoing connections across the country will also allow increased understanding across regions, opening up new conversations in addition to elevating innovation.
A flexible hybrid workforce allows the IC to modernize rapidly, allowing it to tackle problems from implementing Second Epoch directives to effecting large-scale transformation. With flexible architectures and workflows designed to accommodate ongoing innovation, national security missions can evolve and adapt as new challenges emerge.
What’s more, a distributed workforce improves continuity of operations. Regional disruptions due to random incidents and malicious localized disruptions won’t affect workers in other areas. And robust backup plans can be rolled out using resources across the country, with the ability to change quickly as a situation unfolds.
In addition to incorporating innovation from geographically dispersed areas, the “develop unclassified, deploy classified” concept encourages varied talent to contribute to unclassified technical components of the IC mission. Professionals who want to make a difference will be more likely to choose a national security career if they can be productive while waiting for a clearance and can choose a flexible work arrangement—for example, with the choice to work partly in an office facility, partly remote.
National security leaders can also increase access to diverse talent by:
With rapid onboarding, technologists will quickly see that their work makes a difference—generating additional enthusiasm for the mission.
According to Microsoft’s 2021 Work Trend Index:
Our clients’ future-forward programs are paying off. Here are a few examples of ways they are modernizing processes, increasing productivity, and increasing ROI.
One intelligence agency needed highly technical processing, analytics, and modeling capabilities during the COVID-19 lockdown. This gave us the opportunity to leverage our DevSecOps framework and methodology, which allows technical software to be developed in an unclassified environment for modular, repeatable deployment on classified networks.
Uncleared developers in the process of obtaining high-level clearances develop the code; the classified team securely migrates it onto classified networks. This minimizes the number of staff required in the SCIF.
It has also brought other benefits:
Additionally, the remote team provides an increasingly higher level of collaboration as it works to continually refine its processes.
Talent with highly specialized engineering expertise was required to develop mission-critical tools for a pioneering technical initiative. No cleared technologists could be found for some of the requisite skills. Booz Allen collaborated with the client to:
The hybrid team accomplished the groundbreaking mission on time; our strategy succeeded by:
Adopting a hybrid cleared workforce provides a rapid way to realize game-changing benefits. If you’re a leader interested in getting started, we recommend that you ask three questions when preparing to write future acquisitions:
1. Could this mission reduce costs, increase staffing agility, execute faster, or realize other benefits from an unclassified or lower clearance scope?
2. Can this initiative employ a “develop unclassified, deploy classified” model without compromising security or mission success?
3. Is there an opportunity to upgrade clearances—for example, open the door to essential support before workers have been fully cleared, increasing the size of the future cleared talent pool?
If the answer is “yes” to any of these questions, this may be the time to experience the advantages of a hybrid cleared workforce. For more details, we invite you to contact us.
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