Case Of The Disappearing Cyber Contests

A Senate committee had nixed $45 million in funding for cybersecurity contests over the next three years, a move that could jeopardize growth in the federal IT security workforce, according to GovInfoSecurity.

The provision, included in the America Competes Reauthorization Act that went before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee earlier this week, would have provided cash prizes from the National Institutes for Standards and Technology for cybersecurity research and IT projects, according to the article. But a substitute amendment eliminated the program, which was open to high school, undergraduate and graduate students and members of research institutions:

No doubt, cybersecurity competition is a worthy cause and one many smart people in and out of government feel is needed to attract fresh talent, especially those still in school, to become cybersecurity professionals. Highly skilled cybersecurity pros are desperately needed; Frank Reeder of the Commission on Cybersecurity for the 44th Presidency estimates a shortage of 20,000 to 30,000 top-notch IT security experts to safeguard government and key private-sector IT systems. It seems the senators realized that though $45 million represents less than 4 thousandths of a percent of budgeted spending over the next three years, such an investment - regardless of the good it could do - can't be justified.