Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) answers an interview question during a tour of 1 Sun Solar Electric Wednesday, June 2, 2021.
Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022 | 6 a.m.
Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., is introducing legislation today in the U.S. Senate that aims to address the increasing cyberattacks that have been threatening the United States.
The Cyber Ready Workforce Act, which Rosen is introducing with Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., would direct the U.S. Department of Labor to award grants to increase access to registered apprenticeship programs in cybersecurity. In the House, companion legislation was introduced by Nevada Democratic Rep. Susie Lee and Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa.
“Everybody knows, whether it’s personal or professional, that there’s a lot of bad actors who want to steal our information (or) hold it for ransom,” Rosen said. “And that can lead to really devastating consequences.”
Lee echoed the sentiment in a statement, saying: “The workforce of the future will be cyber-based, and we must invest in creating a workforce that can compete globally — now. Cybersecurity is one of our most significant national security challenges and this bipartisan bill will help us create a workforce that is capable of combating cybersecurity threats.
2021 was the worst year for cyberattacks in the world to date, according to SonicWall, a company that tracks ransomware attacks. It recorded a 148% increase in global ransomware attacks through the third quarter of 2021 with 495 million ransomware attacks.
In August 2020, ransomware attacks hit close to home when a hacker published Clark County School District records, including employee Social Security numbers and student names, addresses and grades.
“The increased number of ransomware attacks is really disconcerting,” Rosen said, “and of course it can really lead to devastating consequences, especially if our hospital systems or our physicians’ offices get a ransomware attack and can withhold important medical data.”
Giving support to certified apprenticeships will help increase the skilled cybersecurity workforce, Rosen said.
Nevada has about 3,500 available jobs in cybersecurity and there are more than 90 registered apprenticeship programs as well in the state. The legislation would open doors to get those positions filled, Rosen said.
“When we invest in registered apprenticeships, that’s really going to make a difference in allowing anyone who wants to be retrained into a job in this field,” Rosen said. “Or of course for kids just graduating high school, if they want to go into it, it’s a great entry point to that.”
Garvin Bushell, president of the Learning Center in Las Vegas, which has been teaching internet technology for 37 years and offers a certified cybersecurity apprenticeship, is in favor of the proposal.
“There’s a huge need for it,” Bushell said. “Every company needs it now. It’s no longer an option.”
“These companies think they are secure.” Bushell said. “Thousands more every single day are getting breached that we don’t know about. We can be proactive or reactive.”
The Learning Center teaches essential internet technology programs and helps students secure internships, Bushell said. Some students at the beginning of the classes do not know where the “enter” button on the keyboard is, but by the end they are able to go to high-end security jobs, Bushell said. The company plans to expand its programs to include dormitories and free meals for its students.
“This legislation is an important step forward in promoting the advancement of the cybersecurity workforce of the United States,” said Julia Kanouse, Chief Membership Officer at Information Systems Audit and Control Association, Inc. in a statement. “The challenge for cybersecurity professionals is that their skillsets need continuous improvement to keep pace with the threat environment and massive investments from adversaries. The U.S. government expanding apprenticeship opportunities for new and current cyber professionals will help counter the investments from rivals and bad actors.”
Lee said is it vitally important because "we can’t afford to fall behind when it comes to cybersecurity. That’s why I’m proud to introduce this common-sense legislation with my colleagues from both parties.”
Rosen said the legislation will be considered over the next few weeks.
“This is a really good bipartisan bill,” Rosen said. “I have a lot of cybersecurity bills and the reason so many go through … is that cyber attackers, hackers, really don’t care if you’re Democrat or Republican. They don’t care what place in the country you live.”
Rosen also cosponsored the K-12 Cybersecurity Act of 2021 which was signed by President Joe Biden in October. The law gives schools more resources to help protect themselves against cybersecurity threats.
