(a) Qualified positions. The Secretary or designee designates and establishes qualified positions in the excepted service as the Secretary or designee determines necessary for the most effective execution of the DHS cybersecurity mission.

(b) Designating qualified positions. The Secretary or designee designates qualified positions under the deployment program, described in § 158.701, as part of determining when the Department uses CTMS to recruit and retain individuals possessing CTMS qualifications.

(c) Establishing qualified positions. The Secretary or designee establishes a qualified position under the talent acquisition system, described in § 158.501 of this part, by the appointment of an individual to a qualified position previously designated.