WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Angus King, the Co-Chair of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission, is cosponsoring bipartisan legislation designed to bolster the cybersecurity workforce. The Federal Cybersecurity Workforce Expansion Act would authorize the Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to establish a cybersecurity training pilot program for veterans and active duty servicemembers transitioning to civilian life.

The growing danger presented by cyber-attacks, breaches, and intrusions — all major risks to national security — has been exacerbated by a shortage of qualified cybersecurity workers. In 2021, the Department of Homeland Security hired 200 cybersecurity staffers to address the workforce shortage. The Federal Cybersecurity Workforce Expansion Act would supplement that effort by expanding the cybersecurity workforce pipeline for the federal government, in addition to the private sector and state and local governments.

“We know that nation-states and terrorist cells worldwide are deploying tech savvy minds to harm our critical infrastructure, so we need to have a highly-trained cybersecurity corps to help protect American infrastructure — and who best than those who’ve already stepped up to serve,” said Senator King. “The Federal Cyber Security Workforce Expansion Act is designed to fill the gaps in the cyber workforce by establishing a cybersecurity training program for veterans transitioning to civilian life. This program will provide Maine veterans with quality, good-paying jobs while strengthening our national cybersecurity and reducing our vulnerability to bad actors.”

The 2020 SolarWinds breach — a cyberattack led by a group suspected to backed by the Russian government targeting the U.S. federal government — and growing ransomware attacks on critical infrastructure entities and state and local governments, have demonstrated there is a growing need for qualified cybersecurity personnel.

The bipartisan bill is cosponsored by Senators Chris Coons (D-DE), John Cornyn (R-TX), Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Jacky Rosen (D-NV).

As Co-Chair of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission (CSC), Senator King is recognized as one of Congress’ leading experts on cyber defense and as a strong advocates for a forward-thinking cyber strategy that emphasizes layered cyber deterrence. Since it officially launched in April 2019, dozens of CSC recommendations have been enacted into law, including the creation of a National Cyber Director. Together with former Solarium Co-Chair Representative Mike Gallagher, King previously urged the Biden Administration to better protect the public health sector from cyber threats and called for stronger, collaborative efforts to address the growing threat. Earlier this year, he introduced bipartisan legislation to protect U.S. health care systems from hackers and other bad actors after a string of cyberattacks on Maine health care systems. In addition to his work with the CSC, Senator King is a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) and the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee (SVAC). Recently, in an Armed Services Committee hearing, King pressed the Director of National Intelligence on the importance of integrating cyber deterrence into the U.S.’ National Security Strategy, as well as the need to prioritize cybersecurity ahead of the upcoming 2024 election.

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