Joint Statement by the Cyberspace Solarium Commission, National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence, and the National Commission on Military, National, and Public Service on their Letter to the Senate and House Armed Services Committees on National Security Workforce Recommendations

Washington, D.C. (May 7, 2020) - Today the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence (NSCAI), the Cyberspace Solarium Commission (CSC), and the National Commission on Military, National, and Public Service (NCMNPS), sent a joint letter to the leadership of the Senate and House Armed Services Committees (SASC and HASC). The letter, signed by the chairs and vice chairs of the commissions, requested that the SASC and HASC consider taking action in the FY 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) on the recommendations each commission has submitted to Congress on the national security workforce.

In their letter, the leadership from the commissions outline the urgent need for the SASC and HASC to act now to reform how the U.S. government recruits, trains, and educates its workforce in order to maintain its lead in the world. Specifically, they request that SASC and HASC leadership consider their recommendations on streamlining hiring processes and recruiting beyond the normal methods while maximizing the use of existing authorities to attract and retain world-class talent.

"Without talented cyber professionals working the keyboard, all the cutting-edge technology in the world cannot protect the United States in cyberspace. If we do not take action now to ensure that our talented and experienced workforce continues to grow, we are leaving our country vulnerable to future cyber attacks," said CSC Co-Chairs Senator Angus King (I-ME) and Congressman Mike Gallagher (R-WI).

“It is critical for the U.S. government to change its current hiring posture to retain our position as the leader in AI. The recommendations outlined in the NSCAI’s first quarter recommendations provide a foundation for the future workforce to help the U.S. win the AI competition,” said Eric Schmidt, NSCAI Chair.

“We call on Congress to invest in the American people and the security of the nation by enacting our public service and national security workforce recommendations in the FY 2021 NDAA. These recommendations will improve the federal government’s capacity and capabilities to meet emerging requirements and respond to future challenges and threats,” said NCMNPS Chair Joseph J. Heck regarding the recommendations in their final report, Inspired to Serve, released on March 25, 2020.

The Commissions’ reports and recommendations can be found at www.NSCAI.gov, www.solarium.gov and www.inspire2serve.gov.