CyberGEN.IQ – Cyber Aptitude and Talent Assessment

Date: 04/23/2025

Vendor: Haystack Solutions

Technology/Topic: CyberGEN.IQ – Cyber Aptitude and Talent Assessment

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Welcome to the Technical Exchange Meeting (TEM)!

The technology/innovation title and overview will be included within the meeting invitation that is sent to the DoD community. CyberGEN.IQ (formerly known as CATA) is the only cybersecurity aptitude assessment designed to identify innate cognitive capabilities required for success in cyber operations. Unlike traditional skills-based tests, CyberGEN.IQ evaluates a candidate’s problem-solving abilities across five core cognitive dimensions—Initiating, Responding, Real-Time Decision Making, Exhaustive Research, and Critical Thinking. By mapping innate strengths to cybersecurity work roles, CyberGEN.IQ optimizes recruitment, training, and workforce development, ensuring the right personnel are placed in roles where they can thrive.

The U.S. military and intelligence community require cybersecurity professionals with high adaptability, rapid decision-making skills, and unconventional problem-solving abilities. CyberGEN.IQ enables DoD agencies to scientifically assess and optimize cyber talent pipelines, reducing training costs and improving mission readiness.

CyberGEN.IQ is the only cybersecurity-specific aptitude assessment that identifies individuals with the innate cognitive abilities required for cyber roles, independent of prior knowledge or experience. Unlike traditional hiring methods that prioritize credentials and technical skills, CyberGEN.IQ measures critical cognitive dimensions such as real-time decision-making, anomaly detection, and exhaustive research, ensuring optimal role placement and workforce efficiency. It uncovers hidden cyber talent within existing personnel and new recruits, expanding the talent pipeline for national security. Developed in collaboration with Haystack Solutions Inc., the University of Maryland’s Applied Research Laboratory for Intelligence and Security (ARLIS), and leading government agencies, CyberGEN.IQ has demonstrated high predictive accuracy in cybersecurity training and operational success. Aligned with the NICE/NIST framework, it streamlines workforce development by providing direct role mapping based on cognitive strengths, strengthening cyber teams and enhancing national security.

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Disclaimer:

— TEMs do not serve as a marketing venue or request for proposal actions.

— TEMs shall not be interpreted as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract.

— TEMs do not serve as an endorsement of any presented technologies or capabilities

— Presentations will not be considered as proposals nor will any awards be made as a result of a TEM session.

— TEMs are public open forums – no proprietary or sensitive information should be presented during TEM sessions. Only publicly facing content is permissible in DISA TEM sessions.