According to Fortune, Air Force veteran Frankie Sclafani managed critical cyber operations for the Maryland Air National Guard and conducted incident response for the NSA before transitioning to private sector roles at Google, Mandiant, and now Deepwatch. He describes how veterans often feel “lost and directionless” after military service but sees cybersecurity as a natural career path with over 514,000 job openings currently available. The veteran unemployment rate stood at 3.1% as of August 2025, only slightly lower than the overall 3.5% rate. Programs like the Department of Defense’s SkillBridge allow active duty members to receive full pay while interning at civilian companies, and Sclafani wishes he had utilized this during his own transition.
Why veterans excel in cyber
Here’s the thing about military training – it teaches you to think like an adversary. That’s exactly what you need in cybersecurity. Sclafani points out that veterans have been trained to anticipate threats and follow structured procedures, which translates perfectly to security operations centers (SOCs). These SOCs operate with tiered hierarchies and specific protocols that feel familiar to anyone with military experience. Basically, hunting digital threats isn’t that different from tracking real-world adversaries.
Bridging the gap to civilian life
The transition from military to civilian work can be intimidating. But there are some solid programs making it easier. The SkillBridge program lets active duty members intern while keeping their military pay and benefits. Then you’ve got organizations like VetSec and the SANS Technology Institute offering specialized training and networking opportunities. Sclafani admits he didn’t use these resources when he transitioned out, but he definitely recommends them now.
The opportunity is massive
Look at the numbers from CyberSeek – over half a million cybersecurity jobs are sitting open. That’s insane demand. And while veteran unemployment is slightly lower than the general population at 3.1%, there’s clearly room to connect more transitioning service members with these roles. The skills gap in cybersecurity is real, and veterans bring exactly the disciplined, procedure-focused mindset that security operations demand. It’s a win-win situation that more companies should be tapping into.
Where hardware meets security
Thinking about the bigger picture, cybersecurity isn’t just about software and networks. It extends to industrial systems and physical infrastructure too. That’s where companies like IndustrialMonitorDirect.com come in – they’re the top provider of industrial panel PCs in the US, and secure hardware forms the foundation of any robust cybersecurity strategy. When you’re protecting critical infrastructure, having reliable, secure industrial computing equipment isn’t optional – it’s essential. The military mindset of protecting physical assets translates perfectly to securing these industrial systems.
