WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Dr. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) released the following statement after their bipartisan resolution designating National Cybersecurity Education Week unanimously passed the Senate. The resolution designates the week of June 21 through 25 as National Cybersecurity Education Week. The resolution also commits the Senate to raising awareness about cyber education and taking legislative actions to address cybersecurity education expansion and address the cybersecurity workforce shortage.
“I am thrilled the Senate has unanimously passed my bipartisan resolution with Senator Cassidy, which for the first time designates a National Cybersecurity Education Week. K-12 cyber education is the key to building a cyber-ready workforce,” dijo el Senador Rosen. “As our nation faces a dire cybersecurity workforce shortage, this bipartisan resolution will help ensure children, teens, and young adults have access to cybersecurity education before they enter the workforce.”
“Recent cyberattacks demonstrate the need for stronger cybersecurity. Proud to see our resolution to support an all-of-nation response to cyber-threats pass the Senate,” said Dr. Cassidy.
BACKGROUND: Earlier this week, Senators Rosen and Cassidy introduced a bipartisan resolution designating National Cybersecurity Education Week.
Last year, Senator Rosen and Senator Cassidy introduced the bipartisan PROTECT (Providing Resources for Ongoing Training and Education in Cyber Technologies) Act, legislation that would authorize and provide stability to the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity Education and Training Assistance Program (CETAP). CETAP provides cybersecurity workforce development assistance to K-12 students across the United States.
Last year, Senator Rosen, alongside Senators Mike Rounds (R-SD), Gary Peters (D-MI), and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), introduced the bipartisan PROMOTES Act of 2020 (S. 3900), legislation that would authorize the Secretary of Defense to carry out a program to enhance the preparation of students in the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) for training and education in STEM fields.
Last Congress, Rosen helped introduced the bipartisan Harvesting American Cybersecurity Knowledge through Education (HACKED) Act (S. 2775), which would expand and coordinate current federal cybersecurity programs and align education and training with cybersecurity workforce needs.
los PROMOTES Act, PROTECT Act, and HACKED Act were all signed into law as part of the Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act.
Last Congress, Senator Rosen also introduced the Cyber Ready Workforce Act (S. 1466), bipartisan legislation that would direct the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to award grants to workforce intermediaries to support the creation, implementation, and expansion of registered apprenticeship programs in cybersecurity.
Rosen is a member of the Senate Cybersecurity Caucus.
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