Funding Bill Invests in Cyber Jobs

A look at the week of November 7 in public advocacy for the IT channel: This week, the Senate passed a bill that funds multiple cybersecurity initiatives.  Small businesses that expand to serve government contracts are lobbying for some mid-size business protections. Rep. James Langevin (D-RI) is calling on Congress to speed up work on a cybersecurity bill.


Funding Bill Invests in Cyber Jobs — A funding bill that would expand federal cybersecurity jobs and invest in scholarships for prospective cyber workers passed the Senate this week, reports Nextgov.com.  The 2012 Commerce, Justice and Science spending bill funds multiple cybersecurity initiatives, including expanding National Science Foundation student grants to create career tracks in cybersecurity, adding 19 new cyber positions at the FBI and creating a National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence.


Contractors Find Gains Hard to Hold — A growing number of the businesses that provide professional services to the U.S. government say they struggle to compete against much bigger rivals once they successfully become mid-sized firms, says The Wall Street Journal. Mid-Tier Advocacy, a Washington, D.C.-based lobbying group formed early last year to advocate for businesses that have outgrown the small-business size standards, hopes to make the transition easier.


Cybersecurity and the Missing Sense of Urgency — Daily cybersecurity intrusions are threatening America’s ability to remain the world leader in innovation, yet few are paying attention, according to Rep. James Langevin (D-RI), co-chairman of the Congressional Cybersecurity Caucus.  The Washington Post reports that Rep. Langevin is calling for the creation of a cybersecurity director in the executive branch. Currently, Cybersecurity Coordinator Howard Schmidt does not have the authority to reach across agencies and require that they follow mandatory cybersecurity reporting, Rep. Langevin said.