WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA) announced the introduction of a resolution recognizing June 2023 as “National Cybersecurity Education Month.” The resolution aims to raise awareness about cybersecurity education in K-12 schools, colleges, and universities, so that the United States can effectively build and sustain a skilled cybersecurity workforce to defend against cybersecurity threats.
“Recent cyberattacks targeting the United States increase the urgency to grow and sustain a knowledgeable and skilled cybersecurity workforce,” said Senator Rosen. “As the first computer programmer to serve in the United States Senate, I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan resolution recognizing June as National Cybersecurity Education Month to highlight how cybersecurity education can provide learning and career opportunities for students across the country and bolster our ability to defend against cybersecurity threats. ”
“Cyberattacks can devastate those who are targeted, but there are ways to protect against them,” said Dr. Cassidy. “The resolution refocuses us on the need to prioritize cybersecurity education and enhance prevention efforts.”
“Less than half of K-12 students today are getting any cyber-related education,” said Kevin Nolten, Vice President of the Cyber Innovation Center and CYBER.ORG. “As a nation, we must take National Cybersecurity Education Month as an opportunity to train educators, administrators, guidance and career counselors, and caregivers in cybersecurity so to bring up the next generation with the skills necessary to fill the cybersecurity workforce gap, as well as protect themselves and their families from cybercrimes.”
Senator Rosen has been at the forefront of efforts to bolster our nation’s cybersecurity education and workforce development. Senator Rosen’s Providing Resources for Ongoing Training and Education in Cyber Technologies (PROTECT) Act, which was passed into law as part of the FY21 National Defense Authorization Act, established the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity Education and Training Assistance Program that helps schools across the country educate students on cybersecurity. Last year, Senator Rosen helped secure $6.8 million for this program as part of the FY23 National Defense Authorization Act. Last Congress, she also introduced the Teacher Education for Computer Science Act (Teach CS) Act to support teacher training and schools in educating students on computer science and the Cyber Ready Workforce Act to award grants to increase access to registered apprenticeship programs in cybersecurity.
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