The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 2, 2019



** PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP IS STRENGTHENING AMERICA'S CYBERSECURITY WORKFORCE TO SECURE OUR NATION AND PROMOTE PROSPERITY

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** “America built the internet and shared it with the world; now we will do our part to secure and preserve cyberspace for future generations.” – President Donald J. Trump

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STRENGTHENING OUR CYBER WORKFORCE: President Donald J. Trump is supporting a strong cybersecurity workforce to defend our country and promote quality job opportunities.

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* President Trump has signed an Executive Order directing the creation of programs to grow and strengthen our cybersecurity workforce to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

* The Executive Order will promote cybersecurity work within the Government, including through a new President’s Cup Cybersecurity Competition.

* The Administration will develop a rotational program where Federal employees can expand their cybersecurity expertise through temporary reassignments to other agencies.

* The Executive Order encourages widespread adoption of the cybersecurity workforce framework created by the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE).

+ The NICE Framework is a helpful reference for identifying, recruiting, developing, and retaining cybersecurity talent.

* The Executive Order aims to close cybersecurity skills gaps for the cyber-physical systems that our defense and critical infrastructure rely on.

* Federal agencies will identify cybersecurity aptitude assessments that they can use to reskill employees with potential in the cybersecurity field.

* The Administration will establish the Presidential Cybersecurity Education Awards, recognizing excellent elementary and secondary school educators teaching cybersecurity-related content.


GROWING THE WORKFORCE: Training and hiring cybersecurity workers is vital to protecting our Nation’s defense systems and critical infrastructure.

* Government and private-sector action is urgently needed to grow and sustain our cybersecurity workforce, which is a strategic asset to our country.

+ Our cybersecurity workforce is made up of dedicated individuals in the public and private sectors who operate the critical systems needed to run and defend our country.

* More than 300,000 cybersecurity job vacancies exist in America and it is critical for our economy and security that they be filled.

+ The cybersecurity field offers well-paying jobs that provide incredible opportunities for Americans.

* An inadequate cybersecurity workforce jeopardizes our critical infrastructure, national defense, and modern economy.

PROTECTING OUR SECURITY: President Trump has committed his Administration to protecting and strengthening our Nation’s cybersecurity.

* The President released a National Security Strategy that highlighted cybersecurity as a priority.

* Last year, President Trump unveiled our Nation’s first cyber strategy in 15 years, which included the priority to develop a superior cybersecurity workforce.

* Multiple agencies have also released strategies emphasizing the importance of cybersecurity.

* In 2017, President Trump released an Executive Order to strengthen the cybersecurity of Federal networks and our critical infrastructure.


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