BARRAGÁN INTRODUCES THE NATIONAL CYBER HACKING COMPETITION FOR OUR YOUTH ACT
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
March 6, 2018
Contact: Michael Soneff
(202) 578-0167
This legislation would promote innovative policy solutions and foster skills needed for the
21st Century economy.
Washington, DC – Today, Rep. Nanette Diaz Barragán introduced the National Cyber Hacking Competition for our Youth Act. The bill would help promote and develop a 21st century cybersecurity workforce by directing the Department of Homeland Security to engage students in a nation-wide hacking competition.
“Cybercrime is on the rise and businesses are struggling to combat this growing threat because of a global cybersecurity skills shortage,” said Rep. Barragán. “By engaging students early on in STEM, especially those who are traditionally under-represented in these fields, we are preparing them for the jobs of tomorrow… and we’re also having a little fun while we’re at it.”
On average, a company experiences 130 breaches a year, and cybercrime costs businesses an estimated $600 billion a year, or 0.8 percent of the global GDP. In 2017, there were 350,000 cybersecurity openings in the U.S. alone.
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Nanette Diaz Barragán is proud to represent California’s 44th Congressional District, which includes the communities of Carson, Compton, Lynwood, North Long Beach, Rancho Dominguez, San Pedro, South Gate, Walnut Park, Watts, Willowbrook and Wilmington.