Senators, Representatives Introduce Cybersecurity Grant Program Legislation

Senators Mark Warner and Cory Gardner and Representatives Derek Kilmer and Michael McCaul unveiled a bicameral and bipartisan bill pushing local, state and tribal governments to boost cybersecurity and threat defenses. The State Cyber Resiliency Act allows the Department of Homeland Security to create a grant program to modify, apply and develop measures against cyber threats, the office of Sen. Mark Warner said Monday.

The law will also encourage participating states to optimize retention and recruitment initiatives to respond to cybersecurity employment concerns. The office noted that there are 313,000 U.S. cybersecurity job openings with 10,200 in Colorado, 6,300 in Washington, 24,800 in Texas and 33,500 in Virginia. 

“As cyberattacks increase in frequency and gravity, we must ensure that our nation—from our local governments on up—is adequately prepared to protect public safety and combat cyber threats,” said Warner, the 2019 Wash100 Award recipient.