U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand announced the expansion of the Cyber Service Academy scholarship program, which aims to address a widespread shortage in government cyber personnel.  

The senator says this shortage leaves New Yorkers vulnerable to cyber-attacks, and says the program will develop a talented cyber workforce by giving applicants a free college education.  

“Cyber-attacks targeting New Yorkers are up more than 50%,” said Gillibrand. “In 2022, nearly 40,000 positions remain unfilled, and nearly half of the federal employees are 50 or older.” 

The Department of Defense claims that they will hand out a minimum of 1,000 scholarships by 2026.