Bill Aims to Improve Cyber Workforce

A bill introduced in the Senate on Wednesday would invest in the certification, training and hiring of the next generation of cybersecurity professionals. The bill, introduced by Sens. John (Jay) Rockefeller, D-W.V., and Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, is a revised version of a bill first proposed in 2009 and is designed to help the government address vulnerability to cyber crime and attacks.

Specifically, the bill would require the National Science Foundation to establish a scholarship program to provide full tuition, fees and a stipend each year for up to 1,000 students who pursue degrees in cybersecurity in exchange for a service commitment at a federal, state, local or tribal agency. The legislation also would require the government to establish cybersecurity competitions and challenges with cash prizes, in part to help identify, attract and recruit high school and college students to federal IT jobs.

Heads of federal agencies also would be required to develop a strategic cybersecurity workforce plan that includes cybersecurity hiring projections, plans to address critical skills deficiencies, recruitment strategies, an analysis of the barriers to recruiting and hiring cybersecurity talent, plans to streamline the hiring process, and plans to train and develop current cyber employees, according to the bill.

The bill also would require the government to work with the National Academies to conduct a comprehensive study of government, academic and private sector training and certification programs for personnel working in cybersecurity and recognize top-notch training programs.

The bill is scheduled for mark up by the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee on March 24.