Reps. Khanna, Mace introduce legislation to strengthen government cybersecurity workforce

U.S Reps. Ro Khanna (D-CA) and Nancy Mace (R-SC) introduced legislation to boost America’s cybersecurity capabilities Friday.

The Federal Rotational Cyber Workforce Program Act would invest in the cyber workforce and allow cyber professionals to broaden their experience and knowledge base into cybersecurity.

“If we want to continue the era of excellence in American innovation, we need to make a bold investment in our cyber workforce,” said Khanna, the Progressive Caucus Deputy Whip and Member of the Committee on Oversight and Reform. “Silicon Valley has and will continue to lead the world in creativity & scientific discovery, but we can’t rely on private investment alone to protect our cyber-infrastructure from bad actors. The federal government, America’s largest employer, must lead. This dynamic rotational program will give our cyber professionals the wide-ranging experience they need to defend us from growing threats abroad. We can, and we must, set the pace for the rest of the world.”

The program would be overseen by the Office of Personnel Management, with consultations from the Chief Human Capital Officers Council, the Chief Information Officers Council, and the Department of Homeland Security. It would encourage the heads of each agency to identify rotational cyber positions and requires the General Accountability Office to assess the program before the pilot program ends.

“In light of recent events, we’ve seen the importance of cybersecurity now more than ever,” Mace said. “This program will equip not only our current generation of cybersecurity professionals but our next, ensuring America’s grid is prepared for attack. To strengthen our cybersecurity workforce is to strengthen our national defense.”