Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Haley Stevens (MI-11)
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Haley Stevens (MI-11) and Congresswoman Shontel Brown (OH-11) today introduced the Expanding Cybersecurity Workforce Act, legislation to help more workers from underrepresented and disadvantaged communities join the growing cybersecurity field. The bill establishes a new diversity program at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and requires CISA to expand existing education and outreach activities and promote cybersecurity careers to a diverse audience. Bill text available here.
The bill was introduced with 27 original co-sponsors and is endorsed by the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA).
According to Cyberseek data, there are currently more than 500,000 unfilled cybersecurity positions in the United States, with these jobs taking 21% longer to fill than other tech positions. The Aspen Institute estimates that only 9% of cybersecurity workers are Black, only 4% are Hispanic, only 1% are Native American, and only 24% are women.
Cybersecurity workforce shortages have worsened under the Trump Administration, which has halted numerous workforce development programs and enacted massive staff cuts at CISA. This decrease in staffing has reduced the capacity to fulfill cybersecurity recommendations by 10%, creating a vulnerability in our nation’s efforts to deter foreign attacks and strengthen the nation’s cybersecurity network.
“Our cybersecurity infrastructure depends on having the best workforce possible,” said Congresswoman Haley Stevens. “I’m proud to join Rep. Shontel Brown in introducing the Expanding Cybersecurity Workforce Act to increase recruitment and expand opportunities for cybersecurity professionals. Connecting Michiganders with good-paying jobs that keep us safe is a win for everyone.”
“When our cybersecurity workforce includes everyone, our systems thrive. By bringing in Americans from all backgrounds, we can make our country more secure, expand access to good-paying jobs, and strengthen our economy. Cybersecurity is a fast-growing field that is absolutely essential to our security and our competitiveness, and we don’t have enough workers to meet current demand. This bill tackles that shortage head-on. While the Trump Administration is laser-focused on closing doors, this bill creates more pathways to success for people from all backgrounds. I am proud to introduce this legislation with Congresswoman Stevens and I look forward to building further support in Congress,” said Congresswoman Shontel Brown.
“As a nonprofit association dedicated to building a future-ready digital trust workforce, ISACA strongly supports this legislation to expand opportunities in the cybersecurity field. Creating these critical cybersecurity pathways provides meaningful careers, strengthens our communities and improves our nation’s cyberresilience.” said ISACA Global Government Relations and Public Affairs Director, Emily Bastedo.
The bill’s original cosponsors include House Committee on Homeland Security Ranking Member Bennie Thompson (MS-02), Vice Ranking Member on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), First Vice Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Troy Carter (LA-02), Former Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Steven Horsford (NV-04), Rep. Delia. Ramirez (IL-03), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC, 00), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Robin Kelly (IL-02), Stephen Lynch (MA-08), Andre Carson (NV-07), Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), Joyce Beatty (OH-03), Julia Brownley (CA-26), Greg Landsman (OH-01), Nydia Velasquez (NY-07), Rick Larsen (WA-02), Stacey Plaskett (VI-00), Jahana Hayes (CT-05), Dave Min (CA-47), Lucy McBath (GA-06), Wesley Bell (MO-01), Daniel Goldman (NY-10), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20), Julie Johnson (TX-32), Dwight Evans (PA-03), and Valerie Foushee (NC-04).
CISA is an agency within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and is the operational lead for federal cybersecurity and the national coordinator for critical infrastructure and resilience.
Stevens and Brown first introduced this legislation during the 118th Congress.
The Expanding Cybersecurity Workforce Act
- Establishes new diversity program at CISA: 180 days after enactment the Director of CISA shall establish a program to promote the cybersecurity field to diverse communities.
- Program shall be established within CISA’s Cybersecurity Education and Training Assistance Program.
- CISA shall conduct outreach to promote awareness of cybersecurity employment to educators, unions, chambers of commerce, workforce development officers, schools, and other institutions.
- Cybersecurity is necessary for the public and private sector and is also a well-paying field. According to the Department of Labor, The median annual wage for Information Security Analysts is $120,360.
- Program Scope: The new program created by the Expanding Cybersecurity Workforce Act is tasked with promoting the cybersecurity field to:
- Disadvantaged communities
- Older individuals
- Racial and ethnic minorities
- Women
- People with disabilities
- Geographically diverse communities
- Socioeconomically diverse communities
- Individuals from nontraditional educational paths
- Veterans
- Individuals who were formerly incarcerated
- Authorization of Appropriations and Reporting
- The Expanding Cybersecurity Workforce Act authorizes $20 million annually to the Department of Homeland Security through 2030 to carry out the program.
- The legislation requires CISA to report to Congress annually on the efficacy of the program
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