The Professional Services Council (PSC), which represents government contractors, urged Congress in a May 21 letter to include funding for cybersecurity and IT modernization in an upcoming infrastructure funding package that aligns with President Biden’s American Jobs Plan.
In the letter to congressional leadership, PSC said it supports the administration’s goal outlined in the American Jobs Plan “to out-compete China,” but believes more needs to be done given recent cyberattacks and the President’s recent cybersecurity executive order.
“PSC is disappointed to see that the administration did not request additional funding to address cybersecurity or IT modernization for the Federal government and the industrial base in this infrastructure package,” the letter says. “Given recent cyberattacks – including the Solar Winds breach of government infrastructure and the recent attacks on energy pipelines and water treatment facilities – and the President’s May 12, 2021 Executive Order on cybersecurity, the need for resources to adapt and operate securely in the continuously changing threat environment continues to grow.”
PSC wants Congress to provide increased funding for the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the Technology Modernization Fund, and “agency specific funding to modernize outdated programs and legacy systems.”
PSC called on Congress to move quickly to provide funding for these new programs to ensure the funding is used efficiently and effectively. Additionally, Federal contractors “need timely and accurate information and the resources to adapt and operate securely in the continuously changing threat environment,” according to PSC’s Executive Vice President for Government Relations David Broome.
“The President’s proposal includes investments in traditional and non-traditional infrastructure, but more can and should be done to protect this infrastructure from persistent and increasingly sophisticated cyber threats,” Broome said in a statement. “PSC looks forward to continuing to work with the Congress to ensure that funding meets cybersecurity needs for a safer tomorrow.”
