GAO: Federal Cyber Rotation Program Drew Only Eight Participants
Summary
A GAO review found that only eight workers joined the federal cyber rotation program. OPM cited budget constraints, stopped advertising positions, and plans to let the program end next summer.
Key points
- Since its 2022 launch, 13 agencies offered 106 positions and received 634 applications; eight workers were approved.
- Eligible advertised positions fell from 75 in 2023 to 31 in 2024, with none advertised in 2025 or 2026.
- OPM said budget constraints prevented it from advertising positions on Connect[.]gov and that it does not plan to continue managing the program.
- Applicants were sometimes underqualified, lacked required advance approval, or were ineligible contractors; agencies also often used internal rotations.
- GAO said OPM developed improvement plans in late 2024 but did not follow up. OPM said the program will officially end next summer.
Article Details
- Event Type
- Federal cyber workforce program underuse and planned termination
- Impact
- The Federal Rotational Cyber Workforce program approved only eight participants despite 634 applications and 106 positions offered by 13 agencies. No positions were advertised in 2025 or 2026, with OPM citing budgetary constraints and not planning further program management. GAO said OPM did not follow through on planned improvements; the program is set to officially end next summer.