To: EANGUS Members
From: EANGUS National Office
Please share the following Roll Call: Drill Weekend Talking Points with other unit members
Cybersecurity Skills Integration Act
Interpreted by Kevin Hollinger
Representatives Jim Langevin (D-RI) and Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson (R-PA) introduced H.R. 9259-Cybersecurity Skills Integration Act on 31st October 2022.
The Cybersecurity Skills Integration Act aims to develop a critical infrastructure workforce well-versed in cybersecurity best practices and aware of the threats targeting them. Whether changing default usernames and passwords or avoiding clicking on links in phishing emails, an educated workforce is vital to protecting our homeland security.
The bill would create a pilot program within the Department of Education to award competitive grants to education-employer partnerships for developing, implementing, and expanding postsecondary Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs that integrate cybersecurity into curricula preparing students for critical infrastructure sector jobs. It would ensure that workers training for in-demand occupations in these industries are ready for today’s cyber threats. The bill would authorize $10 million for such grants.
Critical infrastructure refers to “systems and assets, whether physical or virtual, so vital to the United States that the incapacity or destruction of such systems and assets would have a debilitating impact on security, national economic security, national public health or safety, or any combination of those matters” (42 U.S.C. 5195c(e)). Across the sixteen critical infrastructure sectors, which include agriculture, energy, health, and transportation, most service providers are private sector organizations. Yet malicious cyber actors across the globe have targeted critical infrastructure here and abroad to harm their adversaries. In 2021, a ransomware attack on the Colonial Pipeline shut down the largest fuel pipeline in the U.S. for several days, leading to gas shortages and soaring fuel prices across much of the east coast. While this attack could have been much more damaging, it was a stark reminder of the disruption caused by cyberattacks on critical infrastructure.
Many critical infrastructure companies rely on cyber-physical systems (also known as industrial control systems [ICS] or operational technology [OT]). These systems combine physical devices like precision machine tools, electrical distribution panels, and medical devices with network-connected controls. As a result, cyber intrusions targeting critical infrastructure OT systems can have severe, real-world impacts. Throughout the illegal Russian invasion of Ukraine, Russian cyberattacks have targeted Ukrainian utilities, telecommunications, and financial sectors to sow discord and complement conventional military operations. In 2017, another troubling incident occurred when the Triton malware, which affects Schneider Electric safety equipment, allowed hackers to remotely take over a petrochemical refinery’s safety instrumented system, which could have caused the release of toxic chemicals from the plant, creating catastrophic health concerns in nearby areas.
Workers in critical infrastructure sectors must be ready to help defend their systems. Many workers, including those who operate OT systems in transportation, medical, manufacturing, and electrical fields, are trained through CTE programs. CTE equips students with the technical and academic skills to succeed in high-skill and in-demand industries through classroom and work-based learning. Investing in high-quality CTE based on education and industry collaboration is crucial to building a solid workforce. For high-stakes critical infrastructure industries, programs must incorporate cybersecurity education.
Cybersecurity education helps students ensure the confidentiality, integrity, availability, and safety of the systems they operate. As more systems become “Internet-enabled” or “smart,” cybersecurity education must be fully integrated throughout CTE programs, as physical safety practices are embedded. While an electrician is always taught to close and lock the “hazard” door behind her, she may plug in an ethernet cord and walk away, leaving the entire network vulnerable to cyber intrusion. We must ensure this doesn’t happen.
We know that this bill would help standardize training within the military and civilian worlds. This would mean our servicemembers across the National Guard would receive the same qualifications and training as their civilian counterparts. This would open a job market for our enlisted personnel into high-paying employment.
For more information regarding H.R. 9259-Cybersecurity Skills Integration Act or any other National Guard issues, please do not hesitate to contact Kevin Hollinger at kevin@eangus.org or contact him direct at (202) 670-1826
Legislative Events
The EANGUS Legislative Team has developed a new 4-part information, training, and update Summit program. There will now be four Quarterly Summits that will provide this information to our members. Two will be conducted via Zoom, and these dates will be announced as we get closer to the event. There will also be two in-person meetings. One will be on the 16-17th of November 2022, focusing on three issues and giving all the participants an in-depth look at each issue and white paper. We ask that all participants make as many appointments with their Congressional Members and staff on the 17th of November and brief those topics along with any state issues you may have in your priorities. This is our opportunity to get a jump on legislation going into the 118th Congress. The second event will be the Legislative Workshop on 12-15 February 2023. This event will focus on hearing from our Sr. Leaders from NGB, Congressional Staff, other association legislative staff members, and training to aid in the legislative process. This event is how your EANGUS Legislative Committee solidifies our positions and starts the legislative information process in Congress.
EANGUS Healthcare Survey
EANGUS invites you to take a brief 30-second survey to provide your feedback on the importance of healthcare and your military service.
EANGUS Resources
Donate now to help National Guard families affected by the hurricanes
The impact of Hurricanes Fiona and Ian is being felt throughout Puerto Rico, Florida, and the entire southeast. The hurricanes and their associated storms and flooding have devastated the lives of Americans across the region. National Guard Soldiers and Airmen are on duty and answering the call to help others in these areas, while many of their own homes and property were also affected. The Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States (EANGUS) is soliciting donations for the National Guard Relief Foundation so that we can help those National Guard members and families in need. We have already heard of at least a half dozen Soldiers in Puerto Rico who have lost their homes, and we’ve received grant applications from over 30 more Puerto Rico Soldiers and Airmen (so far) who need to replace basic household goods and food that was lost due to widespread power outages. With the most recent devastation that occurred across the State of Florida, we expect to receive a large number of grant applications from those Soldiers and Airmen over the next few weeks or more as they start their recovery process.
The National Guard Relief Foundation is here to help; however, with the significant losses caused by Hurricanes Fiona and Ian and projected future needs, we are asking for your help. Please consider making a donation to the National Guard Relief Foundation to show your support for our Guard Family. All disaster relief donations received will be used to provide direct support to those in need. The EANGUS We Care for America / National Guard Relief Foundation is a 501c(3) charitable organization so your donation is tax-deductible.
Donations for our Disaster Relief Program are being accepted on our website.
For more information about the National Guard Relief Foundation, or if you know of a National Guard member impacted by these hurricanes, or another catastrophic situation or financial hardship, please refer them to our website. Applications for grants and no-interest loans are being accepted now – eligibility criteria are shown on our website. Membership in EANGUS is not required to apply for assistance. Questions may be directed to director@eangus-wcfa.org
Thank you for your support!
The Foundation has received funding from USAA for the EANGUS We Care for America National Guard Emergency Relief Grant and Interest-Free Loan Program.
With thousands of National Guard members and their families facing financial hardships as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and other emergencies, the United Services Automobile Association (USAA), the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States (EANGUS) and the We Care for America Foundation have teamed up to help National Guard members and families in need.
Go to the EANGUS-WCFA website for the criteria to apply for a WCFA Grants and Interest-Free Loans.
Did you know there are several ways to donate to the We Care for America Foundation?
Want to help make a difference while you shop in the Amazon app, at no extra cost to you? Simply follow the instructions below to select “EANGUS We Care for America Foundation Inc” as your charity and activate AmazonSmile in the app. They’ll donate a portion of your eligible mobile app purchases to us.
How it works:
1. Open the Amazon app on your phone
2. Select the main menu (=) & tap on “AmazonSmile” within Programs & Features
3. Select “EANGUS We Care For America Foundation Inc” as your charity
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to activate AmazonSmile in the mobile app
OPERATION VETCARE
Operation VetCare was established in 2017 by EANGUS as a program designed to assist Military Service Members, Veterans, and their families who face special issues or challenges associated with military service. This program has continued to grow over the last several years. Assistance provided through this program may vary based on the limited funds available but may assist by providing support in the form of gift cards for food, clothing, and other necessary items during a service-related crisis. Through this program, EANGUS has been able to assist hundreds of people during a time of significant need. Click the button for more information on how you can support this initiative through donations or to request assistance.
From our
EANGUS Platinum Partners
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