Numerous outlets have reported of the growing shortages of cybersecurity professionals, with the need reaching into the hundreds of thousands. A similar amount of data shows manufacturing as the leading target of hackers and cyber terrorists. Taken together, filling these cyber roles in the industrial sector has never been more important, or more difficult.
Former military personnel, as well as those in the process of transitioning to civilian life, have proven to be invaluable assets throughout the industrial sector. Supply chain management, plant floor operations and technology implementation have been some key fields where veterans have answered the call.
As we celebrate Veterans Day, many organizations are reflecting on the unique value veterans bring to the workforce, especially in cybersecurity, where their training, discipline, and crisis management skills are unmatched. The strategic mindset, technological know-how, and values they bring to an enterprise have been a long-sought solution to filling many key roles.
Below is commentary from a few military veterans working in cybersecurity. They offer insight about how military experience translates into threat intelligence, incident response, leadership in high-pressure environments, and why a military veteran might be the right fit for your organization.
Shawn Dappen, Senior Director, Sales Engineering at Menlo Security.
"What drew me to cybersecurity after the Marines was realizing the battlefield had simply shifted. In the Corps, my mission was to protect people and assets in the physical world. Now it’s about defending them in the digital one.
"The same mindset applies: stay alert, adapt quickly, and protect your team from unseen threats. Cybersecurity felt like a natural continuation of service — just a new domain, same fight.
"The cybersecurity industry makes sense as a next step for veterans because it aligns perfectly with how we’re trained to think and operate. Veterans understand mission focus, chain of command, and the importance of protecting something bigger than ourselves.
"We’re used to adapting to evolving threats and working as a team under pressure — exactly what cybersecurity demands. It’s a natural transition from defending territory and people to defending data and systems — same principles, new battlefield.
"Additionally, veterans bring a lot of strength to the cybersecurity workforce — discipline, mission focus, teamwork, and a mindset built around defense and readiness. Many of us are already trained to think in terms of threat detection, risk assessment, and response coordination, which translates directly into the cyber domain. Veterans also tend to have a strong sense of accountability and integrity, which are critical traits in security work.
"Companies could definitely do more to bring veterans into these roles. That starts with better awareness — helping veterans understand how their military experience fits into cybersecurity and offering training or bridge programs to close any technical gaps. Partnerships with veteran organizations, mentorship opportunities, and clear career pathways can make a huge difference.
"Veterans already have the mindset; they just need a door open to the mission. "
Frankie Sclafani, Director of Cybersecurity Enablement at Deepwatch
"I dedicated nine years of service in the U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard, which is where I honed my skills in malware analysis, insider threat detections and national-level incident response at the NSA and US Cyber Command.
"I was originally drawn to cybersecurity because my father was in law enforcement, and I always kind of felt that responsibility to do some good in the world. When I got to college, one professor who taught digital forensics, a former FBI agent, really showed me how powerful forensics and cybersecurity can be. I saw the impact it can have, the justice it can bring. Whether you’re doing it in the military, for the FBI, or in the private sector, it’s all about being a defender.
"In the military, when you’re given a mission, you do everything in your power to accomplish it because lives may depend on it. As I transitioned into cybersecurity, lives may not be at stake, but a lot still is when it comes to this job, so it was easy for me to feel that this was my mission now.
"Veterans will take the same level of professionalism and importance from their service to their civilian careers. You can trust them to answer the call at three in the morning and get the job done right the first time without having to double-check their work.
"My advice to veterans who are looking for opportunities within the cybersecurity field is to take advantage of every resource available. There’s a program called SkillBridge that lets vets do an 180-day internship with a company of their choice while still on active duty.
"If you’re unsure where to start, communities like VetSec are great for networking and information sharing. These programs benefit everyone, helping fill the cybersecurity skills gap while giving veterans an opportunity to apply their existing strengths in a growing field."
Jeff Liford, Associate Director at Fenix24
"In uniform, I served as an All Source Intelligence Analyst across multiple commands. One of the key tenets of that role was developing deep technical expertise on a subject or organization that could later be used to disrupt an adversary’s operations. I later transitioned to Systems Engineering as a contractor supporting the Department of Defense, where my role became enabling Intelligence Operations through the deployment of highly reliable and redundant systems.
"I didn’t originally intend to end up in cybersecurity. As I transitioned out of the military, I had my eyes set on Systems Engineering and Network Operations, but the modern threat landscape basically dictates that all operators are also defenders. The Department of Defense reinforces this—it’s nearly impossible to work in IT for DoD without becoming involved in security in some form. It started with engineering for redundancy and availability and gradually expanded as my technical competence grew.
"My professional inclination to understand how an adversary behaves and then operationalize that information as part of the recovery process closely parallels my work as an intelligence analyst. The military also trains you to act quickly and operate comfortably with imperfect information. That mindset is critical in recovery scenarios, where time is of the essence and organizations cannot afford to wait for perfect data. When a ransomware event occurs and the environment is down, you have to find ways to operate. That’s where the training really shines."
