The Department of Defense (DoD) recognized the need for a workforce with a common understanding of the concepts, principles, and applications of Information Assurance (IA) for each category, specialty, level, and function to enhance protection and availability of DoD information, information systems, and networks. Through Directive 8570.1 the DoD has taken the necessary steps that involves establishing baseline technical and management IA skills among personnel performing IA functions across the DoD enterprise through training and certification of all DoD employees and contractors with privileged access to DoD information systems.