What is the Endless Frontier Act?
The Endless Frontier Act is a bipartisan bill to bolster U.S. leadership in science and tech R & D. It sets up 10 tech focus areas that will receive extra gov’t funding. All to foster national innovation, local jobs and keep the U.S. competitive.
What does the Endless Frontier Act have to do with Cyber Security?
The Endless Frontier Act treats scientific research as a national security priority. One of the 10 fields that gets more funding is cyber security. The money will go to research and to taking new tech from the lab to the marketplace.
10 Reasons the Endless Frontier Act May Boost Cyber Security Careers
The goals of the Endless Frontier Act make the future of cyber security careers look bright. Here are a few reasons to be optimistic.
1. Cyber Security Careers are Already in Demand
As it stands, the number and severity of cyber attacks is on an uptick. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS.gov) projects demand will grow by 55 % to 2028. With new investment in cyber, one envisions this could continue past 2028.
2. Increased Funding to Tech and Science Including Cyber Security
A first plan of the ACT is to rename the National Science Foundation (NSF). Its new name will be the National Science and Technology Foundation (NSTF). Under the NSTF, the plan is to boost funding to research for crucial tech fields. Including AI, quantum computing and info systems.
3. More Money for Regional and National Innovation
Of the funds, $100 billion (over five years) plans to foster new discovery. An extra $10 billion (over five years) will go to the Commerce Dept. They in turn will choose at least 10 regional tech hubs. The vision is these hubs will be global R & D centers.
4. A Slew of Proposed New Tech Jobs May Come Our Way
The hope is these hubs will also manufacture key technology. Instead of creating or sending more jobs overseas. Once in place, the gov’t plans to connect disadvantaged groups to the new tech jobs. As a result, there may be more opportunities for various skill sets.
5. Universities May Secure More Funding for Tech Research
Another plan of the Act is to increase research spending at U.S. universities. In part to enhance progress and also, create focused research centers. This in turn, would, per the Act, add new undergrad scholarships. Also, industry trainings, grad fellowships, and post doctoral support.
6. More Focus on Education and Training
The Act points to the need for more investment in education and training. Without it, the U.S. could be at risk of losing pace with global competitors. Instead, a main goal is to fuel more entrepreneurship here. And, to not only discover new tech, but also, commercialize it to grow the economy.
7. Funding Cyber Security R & D May Add More Research Jobs
Cyber attacks are more complex. So, researchers must find new ways to outsmart them. To move the needle on this goal, the Endless Frontier Acts aims to boost R & D funding. As a result, it may open up more jobs. At present, the BLS.gov predicts an uptick of 16% more jobs for computer research scientists to 2028.
8. New Research Centers May Mean More Tech Start Ups
Three tech areas already impact jobs in a positive way. Cloud computing, big data and information security. According to the BLS.gov, these areas are projected to add 12% more jobs to 2028. And that’s before the Endless Frontier Act. The Act aims to ensures new investments in tech translate into the growth of new U.S. companies. And that may add even more high tech jobs.
9. The Act Supports National Security Strategy
Cyber security is vital to national security strategy. As cyber threats and risks are on an uptick, the area still draws much gov’t funding. And, under the terms of the Act, the goal is for this to continue.
10. Cyber Talent Has Many Faces
Cyber jobs are about protecting and defending apps, data, devices, infrastructure, and people. You may not see yourself as a scientist or info sec analyst. Instead, you might prefer to pursue a career managing databases, working in network admin or as a software eng.
But if you look at the Endless Frontier Act as a way to bolster many of these sectors, there may be jobs for many skillsets. Here’s a complete list of the key technology areas the Act targets :
- Machine learning, AI
- Advanced computer hardware and high performance computing
- Quantum computing and info systems
- Robotics, automation
- Disaster prevention
- Advanced communications tech
- Biotechnology
- Advanced energy tech
- Cyber security, data storage and data management tech
- Materials science and engineering
