U.S. Senate OKs bill to strengthen federal cybersecurity workforce

NH’s Hassan is co-sponsor of measure aimed at recruiting highly skilled experts

The U.S. Senate has unanimously approved bipartisan legislation co-sponsored by U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-NH, that would create a system to allow cybersecurity experts to work in different federal agencies to help bolster the government’s cyberdefenses. The sponsors say the bill also aims to attract, develop and retain highly skilled cybersecurity professionals in the federal workforce.

The Federal Rotational Cyber Workforce Program Act is sponsored by U.S. Sens. Gary Peters, D-Mich., and John Hoeven, R-N.D.

“The only way we can guard against the ever-expanding number of cybersecurity threats we face is if the federal government can attract and retain highly skilled cybersecurity professionals,” Hassan said.

The bill, said Peters, would “help the federal government recruit and retain highly skilled cybersecurity professionals, address staffing challenges in agencies across government and strengthen our ability to combat cybersecurity threats and secure our systems.”

“Federal agencies face many challenges in recruiting and maintaining a skilled IT workforce. As a result, our committee must focus on the federal cyber talent gap,” said Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., chair of Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. “This bill helps make federal cybersecurity jobs more attractive for both current federal employees and future job-seekers.”