Hoeven’s cyber workforce program legislation signed into law by Biden

President Joe Biden on June 21 signed into law a bipartisan bill cosponsored by U.S. Sen. John Hoeven (R-ND) to recruit, train and retain cybersecurity professionals in the federal workforce.

“Cyberattacks targeting our nation continue to grow in frequency and complexity, and it is essential that we stay ahead of our adversaries and others who seek to illegally access and disable critical systems, including those run by federal agencies,” Sen. Hoeven said. “That’s why we advanced this legislation to improve career opportunities for cybersecurity professionals, including those in the private sector, who want to bring their expertise to the federal government.”

Sen. Hoeven introduced the Federal Rotational Cyber Workforce Program Act of 2021, S. 1097, in April 2021 with bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) to establish a rotational cyber workforce program under which certain federal employees may be detailed among rotational cyber workforce positions at other agencies, according to the congressional record bill summary. 

“The personnel rotation program created by our bill will help ensure federal agencies can recruit and retain a skilled workforce that is better able to protect against and counter the threats we face,” explained Sen. Hoeven.

Additionally, S. 1097 authorizes an agency to determine whether a workforce position involving information technology, cybersecurity, or other cyber-related functions in that agency is eligible for the program and requires the Office of Personnel Management to issue a Federal Rotational Cyber Workforce Program operation plan, which will provide policies, processes, and procedures for detailing employees among rotational cyber workforce positions at agencies, the summary says.

The U.S. Senate gave S. 1097 unanimous consent in December 2021, and the bill passed the U.S. House of Representatives by voice vote on May 10. Biden received the measure on June 9 and signed it into law on Tuesday.