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H.R. 6429: Expanding Cybersecurity Workforce Act of 2025

This bill, titled the Expanding Cybersecurity Workforce Act of 2025, aims to create a program within the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) of the Department of Homeland Security. The program is intended to promote awareness and participation in the cybersecurity field among various disadvantaged groups. The key components of the bill are outlined below:

Establishment of the Program

The Director of CISA is required to establish a program within 180 days of the bill's enactment that focuses on increasing involvement in cybersecurity careers from disadvantaged communities. These communities include:

Older individuals
Racial and ethnic minorities
People with disabilities
Geographically and socioeconomically diverse communities
Women
Individuals from nontraditional educational paths
Veterans
Individuals who have been formerly incarcerated

Outreach Efforts

To effectively promote this program, CISA's Director will conduct outreach to a variety of institutions. These include:

Educators
Unions
Chambers of commerce
State and local workforce development offices
Private sector entities
Community colleges
Parents of K-12 students

Regional Tailoring

The program will be tailored to meet the distinct needs of different regions and sectors across the United States, ensuring that the outreach and training methodologies are appropriate for local circumstances.

Reporting Requirements

Within one year of the program's implementation, and annually thereafter, the Director of CISA must report to two committees of Congress on:

The effectiveness of the program in enhancing the cybersecurity workforce
Suggestions for improvements to the program

Funding Authorization

The bill authorizes the appropriation of $20 million for each fiscal year from 2026 to 2031 to support the program's activities and goals.

Definitions

Several definitions are included to clarify terms used in the bill:

Disability: Refers to an intellectual or developmental disability.
Geographically diverse: Indicates representation from a mix of high-density urban, suburban, and rural areas, with emphasis on low-income communities.
Nontraditional educational path: Covers graduates from community colleges, trade schools, historically Black colleges, Hispanic-serving institutions, Tribal Colleges and Universities, and other defined educational institutions.
Older: Refers to individuals aged 40 or older at the time of their participation in the program.
Racial and ethnic minority: Includes groups such as Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian American, and Native American.
Socioeconomically diverse: Encompasses a range of income levels, including low-income individuals.