DoD 8140 vs DoD 8570: Key Differences and Their Impact on the DoD Cyber Workforce

The United States Department of Defense (DoD) maintains one of the world’s largest and most complex cybersecurity ecosystems. To ensure every individual supporting this environment meets standardized professional qualifications, the DoD has long enforced directive-based frameworks governing training, certification, and workforce readiness. For more than a decade, DoD Directive 8570.01-M served as the foundational policy defining cybersecurity workforce requirements. However, as threats evolved and the need for a more modern, competency-based structure emerged, the DoD replaced the 8570 directive with a broader, more flexible, and more comprehensive initiative DoD Directive 8140.

Although both frameworks share the same overarching goal ensuring the DoD cyber workforce is trained, certified, and mission-ready they differ significantly in structure, methodology, and scope. This article provides a formal, in-depth comparative analysis of DoD 8140 and DoD 8570, explaining their key differences and the practical implications for contractors, civilians, service members, and cybersecurity professionals operating within DoD environments.

1. Background and Purpose of the Two Frameworks

DoD 8570: The Foundational Certification Standard

DoD 8570.01-M, first issued in 2005, established the initial baseline cybersecurity certification requirements for individuals with privileged access to DoD information systems. The directive mandated specific commercial certifications such as Security+, CISSP, CEH, and others mapped to well-defined workforce categories. For many years, 8570 served as the authoritative guide for determining the minimum certification qualifications required for technical workers, managers, and cybersecurity service providers.

DoD 8140: The Modern Comprehensive Cyber Workforce Framework

DoD 8140 was created to expand, update, and eventually replace 8570. While 8570 focused heavily on certifications, 8140 introduces a full-spectrum cybersecurity workforce structure aligned with national standards and encompassing knowledge, skills, abilities, experience, and professional development. DoD 8140 establishes the DoD Cyber Workforce Framework (DCWF), which incorporates all facets of workforce identification, qualification, and training.

In summary:

• DoD 8570 = Role-based certification requirements
• DoD 8140 = Enterprise-wide cyber workforce governance framework

2. Key Structural Differences Between DoD 8140 and DoD 8570

A. Expansion of Workforce Scope

DoD 8570 applies primarily to Information Assurance (IA) and cybersecurity personnel performing technical or management functions.

DoD 8140, however, expands the cyber workforce to include:

• Cybersecurity
• Cyber IT
• Cyber Effects
• Cyber Intelligence
• Cyber Program Management
• Cyber Data
• Cyber Science and Engineering

This expanded scope reflects the modern realities of cybersecurity, where responsibilities span analysis, development, intelligence, operations, engineering, and program oversight.

B. Alignment with National Standards (NICE Framework)

DoD 8140 aligns the DoD cyber workforce with the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) Workforce Framework, ensuring:

• A standardized structure across federal agencies
• Consistent work role definitions
• Clear competency expectations

DoD 8570 predates NICE and therefore lacked full alignment with national workforce standards.

C. Work Role Classification

Under DoD 8570, personnel were assigned to one of the following categories:

• IAT (Information Assurance Technical) Levels I–III
• IAM (Information Assurance Management) Levels I–III
• IASAE (Information Assurance System Architect & Engineer) Levels I–III
• CSSP (Cybersecurity Service Provider) roles (Analyst, Auditor, Incident Responder, Infrastructure Support, Supervisor)

These categories are still respected under 8140 but exist as only one part of a broader structure.

Under DoD 8140, work roles are defined using the DCWF and include more than 50 distinct roles, enabling far more precise mapping of job responsibilities.

D. Competency-Based Model vs. Certification-Based Model

DoD 8570 relied almost entirely on certification lists as qualification markers.

DoD 8140 uses a competency-based model, incorporating:

• Knowledge
• Skills
• Abilities
• Tasks
• Experience
• Education
• Certifications

Certifications remain important, but they are no longer the sole determinant of compliance.

E. Continuous Professional Development Requirements

While 8570 required certification renewal, 8140 emphasizes ongoing training and learning activities through:

• Continuing education
• Skill enhancement programs
• Competency growth plans
• Component-specific development initiatives

This reflects the DoD’s shift toward a dynamic, evolving cyber readiness model.

3. Certification Requirements: What Stays the Same and What Changes

Although 8140 replaces 8570 structurally, the 8570 certification tables remain valid and incorporated into the 8140 framework. Certifications such as:

• CompTIA Security+
• CompTIA CySA+
• CEH
• CISSP
• CASP+
• CISM
• GIAC certifications

are still recognized and mapped to appropriate work roles.

What changes?

Under 8140, certification requirements are reassessed and updated to align with evolving workforce roles and threat landscapes. New certifications and emerging technologies can be integrated into the framework more efficiently, providing improved flexibility.

4. Administrative Differences Between 8140 and 8570

Record Keeping and Workforce Identification

DoD 8140 mandates stricter and more standardized workforce tracking, assigning every cyber workforce member an official work role code within designated systems. This ensures improved oversight and readiness assessment.

Training Program Validation

Under DoD 8140, training providers must align their curriculum with DCWF competencies, not just certification objectives. This ensures skill-based readiness beyond certification achievement.

Governance and Oversight

DoD 8140 requires:

• Better documentation
• Role accuracy
• Skill tracking
• Regular review cycles

This expands upon the more limited administrative requirements under 8570.

5. Impact on DoD Contractors, Civilians, and Military Personnel

A. DoD Contractors

Contractors must comply with the same workforce requirements as government personnel. Under 8140, this now includes:

• Proper work role alignment
• Certification verification
• Continuous training
• Tracking and documentation

Non-compliance can prevent contract fulfillment or privileged access to DoD systems.

B. DoD Civilian Workforce

Civilians benefit from:

• Clearer career paths
• Defined skill expectations
• Formalized competency tracking
• Professional development frameworks

8140 provides improved mobility and alignment across DoD components.

C. Military Cyber Workforce

Military cyber operators must meet 8140-aligned certification and training requirements within prescribed timelines. The framework ensures more consistent cyber capability across service branches.

6. Practical Differences for Cybersecurity Professionals

Greater Career Clarity

DoD 8140 provides clearer work roles, enabling professionals to identify:

• Required competencies
• Appropriate certifications
• Recommended training pathways

This improves career planning and progression.

Higher Professional Standards

The shift toward competency-based requirements means professionals must demonstrate not only certification achievement but applied skill capability.

Increased Workforce Mobility

Since DoD 8140 aligns with NICE, cyber professionals can transition more easily between:

• DoD components
• Federal agencies
• Intelligence community roles
• Industry positions

Long-Term Professional Development

DoD 8140’s emphasis on lifelong training ensures continuous readiness, enhancing overall workforce quality and mission resilience.

7. Summary of Key Differences: DoD 8140 vs DoD 8570

Area

DoD 8570

DoD 8140

Primary Model

Certification-based

Competency-based

Workforce Scope

IA & Cybersecurity roles

Full Cyber Workforce (7 elements)

Role Count

~14 categories

50+ work roles

Alignment

DoD-specific

NICE-aligned

Training

Certification-only

Skills, tasks, experience, training

Flexibility

Limited

Highly adaptable

Governance

Basic certification tracking

Full workforce lifecycle management

Conclusion

DoD 8140 represents a significant modernization of cybersecurity workforce governance within the Department of Defense. While DoD 8570 established foundational certification requirements, 8140 expands this structure into a comprehensive, competency-based framework aligned with national standards. The transition ensures that the DoD cyber workforce remains capable, adaptable, and prepared to defend the nation’s information systems in an increasingly complex threat environment.

For contractors, civilians, and military personnel, understanding the distinctions between these directives is essential for ensuring compliance, maintaining readiness, and navigating evolving career pathways within the DoD cyber domain.