U.S. Senator David Perdue, R-Ga
Growing up as the son of two school teachers, you see first hand just how much our educators pour into their profession. It has paid off. Thanks to our teachers and education system, our country has the best workforce in the world. As we evolve to meet the needs of our 21st-century economy, cybersecurity is one area where education and training programs cannot miss a beat.
Cyber attacks are an evolving threat that we must be prepared to confront when it comes to our economy and our national security. Georgia—with the United States Army Cyber Center of Excellence and NSA Georgia Army Command moving to Fort Gordon in Augusta—is on the front lines of our country’s efforts. As we continue to strengthen these defense capabilities, it’s also crucial that we increase opportunities and support for education programs that train the cyber warriors of tomorrow.
Recently, three exemplary Augusta University students were awarded scholarships from the Department of Defense. This program is for students studying cybersecurity fields who commit to working at the Department of Defense in that area upon graduation. It is great to see Georgia students leading the way.
Our country is going to depend on the children of today to protect us from domestic and global cyber threats of the future.
We are showing some progress on filling the employment gap. Eventually, there will be 133 Cyber Mission Force teams at U.S. Cyber Command, making up a force of 6,200 people. Right now, the Army and Navy components, which comprise about 60 percent of the 6,200 cyber force, have reached full operational capability a year ahead of schedule, which is very positive, but we do not know where the Air Force and Marine Corps, who make up the remaining 40 percent are.
It’s clear we need to expand and reinvigorate this scholarship program to meet demand, deal with a national security issue, and give more students these opportunities. As Augusta University President Dr. Brooks Keel put it earlier this year, this would “empower students to consider this career path with less worry of educational debt and help universities to provide more high-impact cybersecurity leaders to the DOD workforce.”
Working together, a bipartisan group of Republicans and Democrats are working to expand the pool of cybersecurity students who qualify for the scholarship program. Right now, students in two-year programs and those studying for associate degrees pertaining to cybersecurity programs aren’t in the mix. That should change.
The plan would boost funds for the program and expand eligibility to students earning degrees at community colleges. These scholarship recipients must be earning degrees from institutions deemed as Centers of Academic Excellence by both the National Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security.
This will have a direct, wide-reaching impact here in Georgia. Seven of our universities – Armstrong State, Augusta University, Columbus State, Georgia Tech, Kennesaw State, Middle Georgia State, and North Georgia—have this designation.
This would mean more opportunities for students in every single corner of our state. It would mean more opportunity for our state to become a leader in cybersecurity education, as we already are in active cyber defense efforts. More broadly, it’s an opportunity for a critical boost to our cybersecurity workforce development and overall national security.
In a time of gridlock and dysfunction, bipartisan efforts like these are a refreshing reminder of our shared commitment to protecting Americans and creating opportunity. I’m committed to continue doing all I can to do both of those things in the United States Senate, and I’m humbled to have the opportunity.
Senator Perdue is the only Fortune 500 CEO in Congress and is serving his first term in the United States Senate, where he represents Georgia on the Armed Services, Banking, Budget, and Agriculture committees.