Suffolk Reporter

Congressman Andrew R. Garbarino (R-NY-02) and Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY-09) have advanced their bipartisan DHS Cybersecurity Internship Program Act through the Committee on Homeland Security. The bill authorizes the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to offer paid cybersecurity internships to students in secondary and technical schools, as well as undergraduate and postgraduate institutions. Additionally, it mandates that DHS provide an annual report to Congress detailing the number of participants, job duties, supporting agencies, outreach efforts, and recruitment strategies.

"I’m proud to co-lead the DHS Cybersecurity Internship Program Act with my colleague from New York, Congresswoman Clarke. This vital piece of legislation addresses the growing cyber talent gap that threatens our national security,” said Rep. Garbarino. “By codifying a paid, comprehensive cybersecurity internship program at DHS, we are equipping students—from high school to postgraduate levels—with hands-on experience in areas like incident response and digital forensics while fostering mentorship with seasoned cybersecurity professionals. This bill would firmly establish a pipeline of skilled talent prepared to meet our increasingly complex national cybersecurity needs while providing them with invaluable exposure to the critical work done in cybersecurity across DHS. Cybersecurity is national security, and this program is an essential investment in the workforce that will protect and defend our digital future."

Rep. Clarke highlighted ongoing challenges within DHS: "For many years, DHS has struggled to attract and retain top cyber talent, leaving roughly 2,000 cyber vacancies at the Department. At the same time, we continue to deal with a cyber workforce shortage on a national scale – requiring training for more people at all stages of their education and careers to participate in cyber careers." She continued by expressing her support for prioritizing internships: "I was glad to hear that DHS is prioritizing internships – vital in training students and producing a pipeline of cybersecurity talent for the Department."

Clarke emphasized her commitment: "My legislation would codify this program to ensure DHS continues to offer cybersecurity internships, as well as requires the department to report to Congress on how it implements its internship programs and how they support DHS’s cybersecurity mission.” She added her appreciation for collaboration: “I am proud to co-lead this legislation with my fellow New Yorker, Congressman Garbarino and I also applaud the Biden-Harris Administration for taking meaningful steps to address these issues through the National Cyber Workforce and Education Strategy, and the leadership Secretary Mayorkas and Director Easterly have taken to ensure DHS and CISA are working to improve and diversify their workforce.”

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