Legislation recently introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives would increase the accessibility of cyber training and education.
“I am proud to introduce legislation to ensure all levels of government have the best and brightest cyber professionals on the frontlines of America’s cyber border,” Mark E. Green (R-TN), House Committee on Homeland Security chairman, said. “As threats to our critical infrastructure and civilian networks from Beijing, Tehran, and Moscow grow and AI (artificial intelligence) lowers the barrier to entry for attacks, our worsening cyber workforce gap has created a dangerous homeland security threat.”
The Cyber Providing Individuals Various Opportunities for Technical Training Act would create a full-scholarship program for two-year degrees at community colleges and technical schools.
Scholarships would be awarded in exchange for required government service at the federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial levels. Exemptions would be made for military members who have already served their country.
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency would operate the program whose goal is to target entry-level cyber talent and address the current skills gap between education and work. The goal also is to provide opportunities for upskilling and reskilling after completion of the program and to expedite the pathway into government service.
The program could train 10,000 people annually.