Washington, D.C.– Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) works to advance San Antonio’s growing cybersecurity industry in the final spending bill by securing $5.5 million for Navy ROTC Cybersecurity Training Program as well as adding language that improves our cybersecurity workforce. 

“Securing, protecting, and defending our country’s cybersecurity industry requires a highly trained workforce,” said Congressman Henry Cuellar. “That’s why I worked hard to secure critical advancements in the recruitment of cybersecurity professionals by creating a pilot program for the Department of Defense to hire cybersecurity students earlier in their collegiate careers. This language allows for better collaboration between the Department of Defense and universities like UTSA that have established cybersecurity programs. I also secured $5.5 million for the ROTC Cybersecurity Training Program, which will provide additional opportunities at schools like UTSA that have these programs.  

“As a Member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, I will continue to support San Antonio’s growing cybersecurity industry and ensure our national security retains the nation’s best cyber minds.  I would like to thank Appropriations Chairwoman Nita Lowey and Ranking Member Kay Granger, as well as Defense Subcommittee Chairman Pete Visclosky and Ranking Member Ken Calvert for funding priorities that will make our country safer and stronger.”

San Antonio is continuing to expand its cyber industry footprint, with investments such as Port San Antonio’s Cyber Innovation Center and University of Texas San Antonio’s (UTSA) National Security Collaboration Center (NSCC). The Navy ROTC Cybersecurity Training Program will help finance partnerships with institutions like UTSA and its Air Force and Army ROTC programs. 

San Antonio is also home to the 16^th Air Force at Lackland Air Force Base, part of Joint Base San Antonio, and serves as the U.S. Air Force’s cyber command. Cybersecurity will continue to grow in San Antonio as U.S. employers posted nearly 314,000 jobs for cyber professionals in 2018 and a gap of nearly 3 million cyber jobs globally.

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