[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 28 (Wednesday, February 13, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1299-S1300]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                                 S. 429

  Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, cyber attacks are one of the greatest 
threats to our national security today. As our world becomes 
increasingly connected, bad actors are trying to infiltrate our most 
critical networks, from our military systems and our electrical grid to 
our financial institutions and our small businesses.
  We face a rising number of cyber attacks that have the potential to 
expose our sensitive, personal information or disrupt nearly every 
aspect of our lives. These cyber security vulnerabilities cut across 
every industry. Whether you are a small business trying to protect your 
customers' credit card details, a doctor's office with private medical 
insurance information, or even a sophisticated tech startup that needs 
to safeguard your customers' passwords, cyber security protections are 
absolutely vital to your success.
  We have seen the dangerous consequences of attacks that exposed the 
private data of millions of Americans--from companies like Equifax and 
Target to Federal Agencies like the Office of Personnel Management and 
the IRS. Government Agencies of all sizes are at risk of a breach that 
could jeopardize the sensitive information they are trusted with, and 
these threats will only continue to grow.
  We need a skilled cyber workforce of professionals to shore up our 
cyber protections, fortify our legacy systems, and build new and 
innovative infrastructure with safety and security in mind. Despite the 
glaring need for more cyber security professionals, we face a serious 
shortage of highly trained cyber experts to fill these positions. 
Estimates indicate there is a global shortage of approximately 3 
million desperately needed cyber security professionals, including 
nearly half a million in North America, where government and the 
private sector are competing to hire the best talent.
  The Federal Government faces serious challenges in this competition. 
Agencies often cannot offer the same top salaries and benefits that 
Silicon Valley uses to entice and to retain employees. Our cyber 
workforce is on the frontlines of every aspect of our digital security, 
and we need policies that address that reality and sustain and grow our 
ranks.
  While thousands of dedicated public servants choose to work in 
government because they are motivated by the mission of serving our 
country, there is more we can do to grow the pool of cyber workers and 
recruit them to government service. Congress has made strides in recent 
years to improve incentives and attract skilled cyber professionals to 
join the ranks.
  Moving forward, we can make cyber positions in government more 
attractive by providing cyber professionals with unique opportunities 
to enhance their careers while they help protect our country's 
security. That is why I introduced the Federal Rotational Cyber 
Workforce Program Act with Senator Hoeven. Our bipartisan legislation 
helps the Federal Government develop an integrated cyber security 
workforce that retains high-skilled employees by establishing a 
civilian personnel rotation program specifically for cyber 
professionals. It is based on similar joint duty programs for the 
military services and the intelligence community.
  The Rotational Cyber Workforce Program will provide civilian 
employees in

[[Page S1300]]

cyber roles opportunities to enhance their careers, broaden their 
professional experience, and foster collaborative networks by 
experiencing and contributing to the cyber mission beyond their home 
Agencies. By offering these kinds of dynamic and rewarding 
opportunities, this legislation will help retain highly talented cyber 
professionals and strengthen our government's security by developing 
greater interagency awareness and collaboration.
  I am pleased that this morning the Homeland Security and Government 
Affairs Committee unanimously approved this legislation. It moves us 
closer to closing the cyber security workforce gap.
  In addition to taking commonsense steps like we did today in 
committee, Congress needs to look ahead and plan for long-term 
solutions to ensure that we always have a strong, competitive pool of 
cyber security talent to draw on. We need policies that encourage 
students of all ages and educational levels to seek out STEM fields, 
such as computer science, so they are prepared to fill these in-demand 
jobs and be our first line of defense against these emerging and 
rapidly evolving threats.
  I look forward to continuing to work with my Republican and 
Democratic colleagues to get this bill signed into law and to advance 
other commonsense legislation that strengthens our Nation's cyber 
capabilities and safeguards the weakest links in the cyber security 
chain from harm.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.