Sen. Ossoff Working to Pass Bipartisan Bill to Fund Cybersecurity Training at HBCUs

Press Release

U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is working to pass his bipartisan legislation to fund cybersecurity job training at Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Sen. Ossoff's bipartisan Cybersecurity Opportunity Act, which passed the key U.S. Senate Homeland Security Committee in August, will create the "Dr. David Satcher Cybersecurity Education Grant Program," named after the former U.S. Surgeon General and Morehouse School of Medicine Dean.

The Satcher Grants will expand cybersecurity training programs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities and other colleges and universities that serve a high proportion of Pell Grant recipients in Georgia and nationwide.

Sen. Ossoff's bipartisan bill requires that 50% of funds must go to HBCUs and minority serving institutions in order to support greater diversity and equality of opportunity in the cybersecurity field.

"My legislation will expand America's cybersecurity workforce to protect our nation from hackers and support diversity and equality of opportunity in the cybersecurity profession by expanding training programs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities," said Sen. Ossoff.

"As cyberattacks become a growing threat, our colleges must provide training so our students can tackle and overcome our nation's pressing cybersecurity challenges," said Sen. Tillis. "This legislation will expand cybersecurity training programs at HBCUs, helping to create a more resilient, highly-skilled workforce pipeline of cybersecurity talent in North Carolina."

"HBCUs are pioneers in educating and producing leaders prepared to take on our nation's greatest challenges," said Sen. Scott. "As we face growing and adversarial cyber threats from around the globe, the Cybersecurity Opportunity Act will allow students at HBCUs to play an integral role in ensuring our homeland and our cyber infrastructure remains secure."

"Every day, cyberattacks on American institutions threaten our government, our economy, and our national security," said Sen. King. "The problem will only grow more severe in the years ahead, which is why we need to take immediate steps to strengthen our cyber workforce. This bipartisan legislation will strengthen cybersecurity job training at America's Historically Black Colleges and Universities, creating opportunities for students in a growing field and providing an infusion of talented young people into this increasingly-vital profession."