Sens. Rosen, Budd introduce legislation to strengthen cyber workforce efforts through university partnerships

Sens. Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Ted Budd (R-NC) have introduced a bipartisan bill to establish a pilot program where the Defense Department would partner with universities to grow the cyber workforce. “The Cyber Centers of Excellence Partnership Act would establish a partnership between the Department of Defense and universities designated by the National Security Agency as National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity, creating opportunities to share research, best practices, and emerging approaches between the public and private sectors,” according to an Oct.

2 release from Rosen’s office. Rosen is ranking member of the Senate Armed Services cyber subcommittee and a leader in Congress on strengthening cyber workforce and growing cybersecurity resources for the health care sector. The release says the new program “would not only increase collaboration between top research institutions and our specialized military cyber units, but also create direct pathways for qualified students into federal cybersecurity careers.” The pilot program would sunset on Sept.

30, 2031. The program will include the “[e]stablishment of a research cell supporting aggressor operations through open-source intelligence, emerging threat analysis, and development of adversary emulation playbooks,” according to the bill text . Rosen said, “As technological advancements become more heavily integrated into modern warfare, it is more important than ever that our nation has the talent and personnel needed to handle looming threats.” “This bipartisan bill would ensure that our military and top universities can keep up with every wave of ever-changing cyber threats, while also attracting the country’s most talented young minds and bolstering our cyber-ready workforce,” Rosen said.