Cyber PIVOTT Act

The Cyber PIVOTT Act amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to significantly expand the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency's (CISA) education and training programs. It establishes the "Providing Individuals Various Opportunities for Technical Training to Build a Skills-Based Cyber Workforce Program," or PIVOTT Program, which focuses on partnerships with community colleges, technical schools, and other two-year institutions of higher education. The program targets students starting or in their first semester of two-year cyber or cyber-relevant associate's degree programs or comparable technical certifications. It also includes individuals pursuing career changes or those considered entry-level. CISA will provide full tuition scholarships , covering a wide range of expenses including academic fees, travel, lodging, stipends, internship costs, and certification testing fees. A core component of the PIVOTT Program is a two-year service obligation in a cyber or cyber-relevant role for an executive agency or a state, local, tribal, or territorial government upon completion, with exceptions for military service. Students must also complete a minimum of four skills-based exercises , such as laboratory work, hackathons, or industry training workshops, with at least one required to be in-person. The bill mandates approved cyber or cyber-relevant internships with government entities or critical infrastructure owners/operators as a core requirement. CISA is tasked with regional outreach, engaging industry stakeholders to inform program exercises, and hosting annual federal government recruitment fairs for participants. These fairs may be held online or in-person at participating institutions. Upon program completion, students gain access to an online database of cyber training resources and federal job opportunities, and CISA may fund up to three cyber certifications and associated exams. Scholarship recipients are liable for repayment if they fail to meet academic standards, withdraw, or do not fulfill their service obligation, though exceptions exist for military service or documented inability to secure a government position. The program sets ambitious enrollment goals, aiming to enroll at least 250 students in its first full academic year and grow to 10,000 students annually within ten years.