§7441 Cybersecurity Competitions and Challenges

Summary

Requires the Secretary of Commerce, the Director of the National Science Foundation, and the Secretary of Homeland Security, working with the Director of the Office of Personnel Management, to run and support cybersecurity competitions and challenges under section 3719 or other laws. The goal is to find, train, and recruit people for IT security jobs in federal, state, local, tribal governments and the private sector, and to spark new cybersecurity research and prototype work. They must make sure the contests run well. Participants can include students (grades 9–12), college and postbaccalaureate students, colleges and research centers, veterans, and other groups the agencies choose. Contests can be done with federal agencies, regional or school programs, state/local/tribal governments, or private partners. Contests to find talent must test skills like ethical hacking, penetration testing, checking for vulnerabilities, keeping systems running, secure design, cyber forensics, offensive and defensive cyber work, and other needed areas. The agencies must consult widely inside and outside government and can form advisory committees. The OPM Director may help winners get internships or other federal work experience.