CYBER CORPS

A group of bipartisan lawmakers in the House and Senate on Wednesday rolled out legislation that would create a National Guard-style program to help defend critical systems against increasing cyberattacks from nation states and criminals.

The Civilian Cyber Security Reserve Act would establish a civilian reserve program to provide cybersecurity training for individuals who have previously worked for either the U.S. federal government or armed services. They would then be available as resources for the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security to boost federal cybersecurity protections.

The bill has bipartisan support, and is sponsored by Sens. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) in the Senate, alongside Reps. Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.) and Ken Calvert (R-Calif.) in the House.

It was introduced as both the Biden administration and Congress have been forced to concentrate on enhancing the cybersecurity of critical systems in the wake of multiple major hacking incidents.