Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2019

Floor Speech

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Ms. ROSEN. Mr. Chairman, my amendment No. 4, which I am offering with Congressman Hastings, would designate an additional $5 million for the training and retention of cybersecurity professionals under the defense-wide operation and maintenance account.

We discuss cybersecurity frequently here in Congress because cyberspace touches everything. As a former computer programer and a member of both the Armed Services Committee and the Science, Space, and Technology Committee, I can tell you that we rely on cyberspace for so much: our military, schools, businesses, State and local governments.

We all understand the importance of prioritizing cybersecurity and the defense of cyberspace, because the challenges we are already facing will continue to grow both at home and abroad.

Actors half a world away are targeting our hospitals, banks, and financial networks, not to mention military installations. Attacks are getting more sophisticated, and they are happening every single day.

Last year, the GAO reported that, between fiscal year 2006 and fiscal year 2015, cybersecurity incidents increased from over 5,500 to over 77,000, an increase of more than 1,300 percent. The report recommended that the Federal Government enhance efforts for recruiting and retaining a qualified cybersecurity workforce and improve cybersecurity workforce planning activities.

As we look to defend ourselves, we need the very best talent. I am particularly aware of the need for expanding partnerships with academia and the private sector, which will create the cybersecurity people pipeline that our government and our private sector businesses need.

Programs like the National Centers of Academic Excellence, jointly sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security and the National Security Agency, for instance, serve as examples of the direction we should be headed.

As U.S. Cyber Command steps up its recruiting efforts, we must ensure that the necessary resources for training the next generation of cybersecurity specialists are made available now, wherever they are needed. This amendment is just a drop in the bucket, but it demonstrates how seriously we take this issue.

I want to thank my distinguished colleague, Congressman Alcee Hastings, for helping to lead this amendment.

Mr. Chair, I urge a ``yes'' vote, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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Ms. ROSEN. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

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