President Trump signed an Executive Order directing the federal government to take critical steps to strengthen America’s cybersecurity workforce. 

The Executive Order enhances mobility of frontline cybersecurity practitioners, supports the development of their skills to encourage excellence in the field and helps ensure the US keeps its competitive edge in cybersecurity. The United States currently has a shortage of 300,000 cybersecurity practitioners.

“America’s cybersecurity practitioners—whether working in the private sector or serving in the federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial governments—constitute a core element in our country’s frontline defense and we must urgently bolster them in the face of a myriad of cybersecurity threats,” said Acting Secretary Kevin K. McAleenan.

Under the Cybersecurity Workforce Executive Order, the Department of Homeland Security will work with partners from around the federal government on several initiatives to strengthen the workforce. DHS will create the Federal Cybersecurity Rotational Program, in which Information Technology (IT) and cybersecurity practitioners in the federal government can serve temporary assignments in DHS, share knowledge and cybersecurity best practices and undergo training.