Research and validation
Evidence behind better cyber talent decisions
CyberGEN.IQ combines cognitive assessment, field-tested methodology and role-alignment insight to help organizations identify potential that conventional screening can miss
- Assessments administered
- 10,000+
- Across government, university and workforce programs since release
- U.S. Air Force field study
- 97%
- Accuracy predicting which studied candidates became elite Cyber Warfare Operators, defined as scoring 90% or higher in training
- Dimensions evaluated
- Five, as one profile
- Scored individually, interpreted together as a single cognitive pattern
What CyberGEN.IQ measures
Aptitude is more than one score
The value comes from reading the complete pattern across all five dimensions
One participant, five dimensions
percentileSelect a dimension to read what it measures
- Measures
- A strong result suggests
- Where it matters
Field study / US Air Force
Additional insight for high-stakes training decisions
Cognitive aptitude data can strengthen the information available before an organization commits substantial time and resources to training
In a field study with a US Air Force Cyber Warfare Operations training program, CyberGEN.IQ added meaningful insight beyond the military aptitude and cyber knowledge measures already in use
CyberGEN.IQ was 97% accurate in predicting which candidates became elite Cyber Warfare Operators, defined as scoring 90% or higher in training
Request the Field-Study Summary- Setting
- US Air Force Cyber Warfare Operations training program
- Population
- Candidates entering operator training
- Outcome
- Elite performance, defined as scoring 90% or higher in training
- Result
- 97% accuracy predicting which candidates reached that level
Case evidence / University of North Georgia
Expanding the cyber talent pool
By looking beyond prior cyber knowledge, the program identified a broader group of students with relevant cognitive aptitude, including students who would not have applied to a team that screened on coursework
Program outcomes reflect coaching, curriculum and student effort
CyberGEN.IQ supported identification
- 4xTeam size increased fourfoldIdentification opened to students with no cyber coursework
- 2xWomen's participation grew from 10% to 20%A wider entry point changed who saw themselves in the program
- 2019, 2020Won the NSA Codebreaker ChallengeTwo consecutive years following the expanded intake
How aptitude complements other evidence
Aptitude is the evidence you can see first
CyberGEN.IQ doesn't replace interviews or skills tests. It gives you insight before either is possible
- Knowledge assessmentsWhat someone currently knows
- CredentialsWhat someone has completed
- ExperienceWhat someone has done
- InterviewsHow someone presents and explains experience
Connection to cyber work
From cognitive patterns to areas of cyber work
- Initiating · Real-TimeOffensive Operations
Finding the undocumented way in while the window is open
Cognitive demandGenerating your own approach with no playbook, at speedRed team, penetration testing - Responding · Real-TimeDefensive Operations
Catching the one anomaly in a stream that runs all shift, then acting
Cognitive demandHolding attention on a stream and recognizing the exceptionSOC analysis, incident response - Initiating · ExhaustiveDesign and Development
Building what holds up against attacks nobody has tried yet
Cognitive demandInventing structure, then following it through every detailSecurity architecture, engineering - Responding · ExhaustiveAnalysis and Forensics
Reconstructing what happened from evidence that is incomplete on purpose
Cognitive demandWorking a long trail methodically without losing the threadIntelligence analysis, forensics
Framework alignment
Aligned with the NICE Workforce Framework
CyberGEN.IQ results map to the work role categories of the NICE Workforce Framework, giving you a shared language for talent planning
Haystack's own mapping to the original NICE Framework (NIST SP 800-181, 2017). The detailed profile-to-role mapping is proprietary and does not imply NIST endorsement
Methodology FAQ
Questions buyers ask about the method
If something here needs more depth, our team will walk through the underlying research with you
What does CyberGEN.IQ measure?
Cognitive aptitude for cyber work across five dimensions: Critical Thinking, Initiating, Responding, Real-Time and Exhaustive
The five are scored individually and interpreted together as one profile
Is CyberGEN.IQ a technical skills test?
NoNo prior cybersecurity knowledge is required, and no tools, commands or terminology are tested
It measures how a person approaches the kinds of problems cyber work presents
Does it produce a pass or fail result?
NoResults are a profile rather than a threshold
Organizations set their own criteria for how the profile informs a decision
Is a higher score always better?
A higher score indicates stronger measured aptitude within that dimension
Fit for a type of cyber work comes from which dimensions are strongest and weakest relative to each other, not from the total
How long does the assessment take?
Fourteen timed cognitive tasks, typically about 90 minutes in total
Participants can take breaks between tasks, or stop and return later and pick up after the last completed task
Can it predict job performance?
The Air Force field study evaluated training success within the studied population, not on-the-job performance
CyberGEN.IQ is an input to selection and development decisions alongside skills, experience and judgment
How are results connected to cyber roles?
The complete profile is read against four areas of cyber work and aligned to NICE work-role families
The output is role-alignment insight rather than a job assignment
How does CyberGEN.IQ relate to the NICE Framework?
Aptitude profiles are aligned to the knowledge, skills and abilities associated with NICE work-role families, so results can be discussed in the same language as your workforce planning
The alignment is Haystack's own mapping and carries no endorsement or certification from NIST
Can organizations evaluate individuals and cohorts?
YesAdministrators see individual profiles and cohort reporting, can group participants by profile, and can export results for their own analysis
Research briefing
Explore the evidence with our team
Speak with Haystack Solutions about the methodology, field-study evidence, reporting capabilities and how CyberGEN.IQ could support your talent or training decisions