S. 3619: Department of Defense Comprehensive Cyber Workforce Strategy Act of 2026

This legislation, known as the Department of Defense Comprehensive Cyber Workforce Strategy Act of 2026, mandates the Secretary of Defense to develop a comprehensive strategy focused on the cyber workforce within the Department of Defense (DoD). Below are the main components of the bill:

Development of Cyber Workforce Strategy

The Secretary of Defense must create a cyber workforce strategy by January 31, 2027. This involves:

• Working with the Chief Information Officer and the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Cyber Policy.
• Consulting with the Chief Information Officers and Principal Cyber Advisors of the military departments.

Reporting Requirements

After developing the strategy, the Secretary is required to submit a report to the Senate and House Armed Services Committees that includes:

• An assessment of the progress and any gaps remaining from the 2023–2027 Cyber Workforce Strategy.
• A descriptive analysis of the Defense Cyber Workforce Framework, focusing on goals and key performance indicators.
• Statistics relating to the affected workforce, including numbers of vacancies and specific roles.
• Evaluation of the Department's progress in implementing the Framework against established goals.
• Identification of issues or problems encountered during implementation, along with any proposed adjustments.
• Opportunities for collaboration with outside organizations for workforce management.
• Information on commercial tools that could enhance talent management processes within the Framework.
• Suggestions for using alternative personnel models, like cyber civilian reserves.
• Plans for integrating partnerships with academic institutions to bolster workforce development.
• A review of work roles related to artificial intelligence and data sciences, suggesting alignment with industry roles for better recruitment.
• An outline of resource requirements and a timeline for implementing the strategy, including budget estimates.

External Collaboration

The Secretary of Defense may seek input from outside organizations with expertise in areas such as human resources planning, training, and cyber profession associations to inform the development of the strategy.

Report Format

The report must be unclassified but can include a classified annex if necessary.

Relevant Companies

• CSCO (Cisco Systems, Inc.): As a major player in cybersecurity solutions, Cisco may see changes in demand for their products and services linked to any shifts in the DoD's cyber workforce strategy.
• PLTR (Palantir Technologies Inc.): Palantir, known for data analytics and security, could be involved in enhancing cyber capabilities within the DoD, potentially benefiting from increased contracts.
• ADBE (Adobe Inc.): Adobe’s focus on digital media and security may lead to increased opportunities in managing and protecting digital workplaces in defense settings.
• RTX (Raytheon Technologies Corporation): As a defense contractor, Raytheon may be impacted by changes in defense contracts related to workforce training and development in cybersecurity.