S. 5067 — Federal Cybersecurity Workforce Expansion Act

This section finds that the Federal Government faces a shortage of qualified cybersecurity personnel, citing approximately 500,000 job openings nationwide, a March 2019 Government Accountability Office report, and a May 2021 Department of Homeland Security 60-day hiring sprint for 200 staff. It states the need to expand the cybersecurity workforce pipeline in cooperation with the private sector and State and local governments.

This section defines terms for the Act, including the Department as the Department of Homeland Security, the Secretary as the Secretary of Homeland Security, and institution of higher education as having the meaning given in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001).

This section establishes a cybersecurity apprenticeship pilot program and defines 13 terms for use in the program, including area career and technical education school, community college, cyber workforce position, education and training provider, eligible entity, minority-serving institution, and qualified intermediary.

This section establishes a pilot program, to be implemented within three years of enactment, that provides free cybersecurity training to veterans entitled to educational assistance under chapters 30, 32, 33, 34, or 35 of title 38 or chapters 1606 or 1607 of title 10, imminent veterans, and military spouses. The program must incorporate postsecondary credit coursework, virtual and hands-on learning, performance assessments, Federal work-based learning opportunities, and recognized postsecondary credentials; align with the NICE Cybersecurity Workforce Framework; and coordinate with the Departments of Veterans Affairs, Defense, and Labor, NIST, and OPM to leverage existing training resources, avoid duplication, and connect completers to Federal jobs.