Software Engineering Institute (SEI) Podcast Series With a Little Help from Our Civilian Friends: Cybersecurity Reserve Is Both Feasible and Advisable
Mar 20, 2026
Chris May, technical director focused on cyber mission readiness and former Air Force communications officer, and Marie Baker, SEI technical manager with decades in cyber workforce research, discuss a civilian cybersecurity reserve. They cover the NDAA request, study methods with surveys and interviews, security clearance needs, logistical and jurisdictional challenges, surprising willingness to serve, and recommendations to pilot a reserve.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Classified Access Is Nonnegotiable
- A CCR must have classified access to be operationally useful.
- Survey and interview responses showed over 90% agreement that some level of clearance and access to CIPRNET/SCIF environments is essential for cyber operations.
Civilians Want To Serve
- Civilian cyber professionals show strong intrinsic propensity to serve despite higher private-sector pay.
- Marie Baker and Chris May cited DEF CON volunteer projects and survey/interview results showing high willingness to help the nation.
DEF CON Teams Fix Real Water Systems
- DEF CON volunteers ran vulnerability assessments on township water facilities, showing civilian pro bono impact.
- Chris May used this example to show how hobbyist and conference-driven teams already help critical infrastructure security.