Currently, there are 500,000 vacant cybersecurity positions in the United States – affecting businesses and government agencies alike. And with the frequency, sophistication and intensity of cyber attacks increasing, including those directed at federal agencies and critical infrastructure, the need for government and industry to work together to train, retain and develop workers with the required technical expertise and skills has never been greater. According to Congressional sources, cyber attacks on critical infrastructure rose by 30 percent globally in 2023, creating a growing gap in the cyber workforce that leaves organisations vulnerable to cybersecurity threats due to staffing shortages.
As the new Congress and administration are beginning to govern in Washington DC, it is imperative that cybersecurity and the development of a capable cyber workforce to combat highly resourced nation state threat actors be prioritized as a bipartisan issue. The US government has the opportunity to play a pivotal role in formulating policies and programs that offer necessary technical training to cultivate a domestic cybersecurity workforce. Additionally, these efforts will assist businesses in defending against the increasing frequency of cyber attacks.
At Ivanti, we support the policy proposals put forward in the Cyber PIVOTT Act, introduced by House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Mark Green. This legislation aims to enhance the accessibility of cyber training and education by establishing a new full-scholarship program for two-year degrees, including those offered at community colleges and technical schools, in exchange for required government service. Ivanti endorses this legislation and looks forward to supporting its enactment and the role that it will play in strengthening the US cybersecurity industry as a whole. We recognize the need for legislation to address cybersecurity and workforce needs, as well as to create incentives for young professionals to pursue careers in cybersecurity. This initiative takes direct aim at the persistent industry shortage of a skilled cybersecurity workforce.
Chairman Green’s Cyber PIVOTT Act is an important step in meeting this critical need for the cybersecurity industry. Congress should demonstrate its commitment to the cybersecurity of the nation by enacting this legislation immediately.