Allieu Alghali

 

 

Established on Nov. 4, 1952, the National Security Agency/ Central Security Service is charged with protecting the United States’ national security interests. While the NSA is more than 60 years old, the CSS was established in 1972 to promote a full partnership between NSA and the cryptologic elements of the armed forces. Home to America’s codemakers and codebreakers, the NSA/CSS provides products and services to the Department of Defense, the Intelligence Community, government agencies, industry partners, and select allies and coalition partners. In addition, the agency delivers critical strategic and tactical information to war planners and war fighters.

 

Allieu Alghali is a systems engineer with NSA/CSS, who regularly does recruiting on campuses, and visits colleges and universities to speak with students about nationwide opportunities at the agency.

 

Minority Engineer: What is your educational background and what are your responsibilities at NSA?

 

Allieu Alghali: I earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Morgan State University and a master’s degree in systems engineering from George Mason University. Currently, I am working towards a PhD in information technology with a dual specialization in information assurance and information systems at Capella University. At NSA I’m responsible for providing systems security engineering guidance and certification management for tactical applications. I collaborate with other across the agency to manage programs from inception through certification. The products that I certify as secure are used by our warfighters to shield their communications as they function in harm’s way. Minority Engineer: How does NSA reach out to recruit a diversified workforce?

 

Allieu Alghali: NSA incorporates a diverse mix of recruitment team members who understand the agency’s requirements for hiring a variety of different and emerging talents and skill sets, and are able to articulate them in a variety of venues. The team is engaged in a vigorous recruiting effort aimed at pursuing and hiring the best talent available to fill critical national security needs. In particular, the recruitment team targets traditionally underrepresented groups by reaching out to Historically Black Colleges/ Universities and Hispanic Serving Institutions.

 

Minority Engineer: How does NSA interact with professional organizations that foster diversity and inclusion?

 

Allieu Alghali: NSA establishes partnerships with professional organizations and recognizes key schools as “Centers of Excellence” for distinction in training the next generation of engineering and information technology experts in our fight against cyber security threats. NSA recognizes that diversity broadens the knowledge space for improving information assurance and cybersecurity expertise, and welcomes the opportunity to widen our diversity by inviting people from varying social and economic backgrounds.

 

Minority Engineer: Does NSA sponsor employee resource groups to bring together employees of similar backgrounds to share their collective experiences?

 

Allieu Alghali: A successful NSA mission depends upon successful people. Diverse perspectives strengthen us and create an inclusive environment where every person is treated with respect and fairness and has an equal opportunity to contribute to mission goals. NSA sponsors nine employee resource groups to provide unique perspectives on career development. Currently we have the following employee resource groups:

 

•African American

•American Indian/ Alaskan Native

•American Veteran

•Asian American/ Pacific Islander

•Hispanic/Latino

•Islamic Cultural

•Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender & Allies

•People with Disabilities

•Women

 

Minority Engineer: Does NSA attend diversity job fairs and target specific colleges through on-campus career fairs?

 

Allieu Alghali: Yes, NSA attends many diversity job fairs with recruitment trips. For me, I was a technical director supporting Human Resources (HR) as the technical expert at historically black universities. During these visits, I would field most of the engineering and security type questions in support of HR. Additionally, I have been part of the NSA on-campus recruitment efforts, with several visits to Morgan State University, Purdue University, Lawrence Livermore Laboratory, and University of California at Berkley. In addition, the agency has many opportunities for students to work at NSA before they graduate, through internships, cooperative education, scholarships, and work study programs.

 

Minority Engineer: What advice can you offer to college graduates as they begin their job search; what qualities do you look for in job candidates?

 

Allieu Alghali:My professional advice to college graduates as they begin their job search is:

 

•Understand your strengths and weaknesses

•Develop a practical resume with limited white space

•Research the type of job(s) in which you are interested

•Determine what geographical area(s) is(are) of interest to you

•Practice your interviewing skills and business etiquette

•Dress appropriately for your interview

•Speak clearly and succinctly, and effectively communicate your skills and abilities.

 

The qualities that I look for in the new college graduates are:

 

•Well-rounded skills

•Technical expertise

•Flexibility

•Full of energy

 

Minority Engineer: What advice can you offer new employees in their efforts to move ahead at NSA? Allieu Alghali: First, new employees in their efforts to move ahead at NSA must learn the agency specific ways of doing business. That knowledge will enable them to work with the uttermost confidence as they forge ahead with their career goals and objectives.

 

Second, the agency has a multitude of classes and training experiences to enhance skill sets. It is imperative to take advantage of training opportunities in order to become a subject-matter-expert.

 

My own experience was unique. I was challenged from the very beginning to speak about the state of NSA security at a roundtable discussion with the former NSA director, the late VADM Noel Arthur Meredyth Gayler. After convincing the former director that security at the agency was refocusing its effort to address the changing threats in the cyber security arena, I was invited to brief the NSA director at that time, Lt. Gen. Michael Hayden (who later became the director of the Central Intelligence Agency). These briefings were significant because they afforded me the opportunity to understand the NSA mission from the top down, while developing and implementing solution sets from the bottom up. Therefore, my goal is to continue to challenge the young minds of today the same way the previous directors positively impacted my career.

 

Minority Engineer: What is the outlook for jobs in your industry?

 

Allieu Alghali: The outlook is extremely good because cybersecurity is a growth industry, for both the commercial and government sectors. Every communication device requires some sort of security to ensure that the information is safe and shared with only the intended recipients.

 

Minority Engineer: How can our readers post their resumes online for career opportunities at NSA?

 

Allieu Alghali:The NSA website has an abundance of information on job opportunities, different career fields, the application process, and much more. Visit www.nsa.gov/careers to learn more and apply for a position.