# House Mandates CISA Workforce Assessment

House Democrats introduced the CISA Force Structure Assessment Act to require the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of its workforce capabilities, training programs, and resource needs. This legislation responds to prior staff reductions and emerging cyber threats, including those posed by artificial intelligence and quantum computing, aiming to identify critical gaps that could impact CISA's mission to protect federal networks and critical infrastructure. The assessment will inform Congress on necessary future funding and support to strengthen cybersecurity defenses.

- **Why this matters:** Procurement professionals should anticipate potential increases in contracting opportunities related to workforce development, training services, and cybersecurity technology acquisitions at CISA.
- The mandated assessment signals Congressional intent to bolster CISA’s operational capacity, which may lead to expanded budgets and new solicitations.
- Vendors specializing in cybersecurity workforce solutions, training, and advanced technology integration should prepare for upcoming procurement opportunities aligned with CISA’s evolving needs.
- Organizations supporting federal cybersecurity missions should evaluate how this legislative focus may influence contract requirements and resource allocations in the near term.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Public Safety, Information Technology
**Topics:** Cybersecurity, Regulatory Compliance
**Published:** September 21, 2026

### Government Entities
- Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)
- House Homeland Security Committee
- Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee
- Government Accountability Office (GAO)
- Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

### Key Quotes
> As cyber threats grow more sophisticated and technologies like artificial intelligence and quantum computing reshape the threat landscape, Congress needs a clear accounting of whether CISA has the workforce, skills, and resources required to keep Americans safe and enable mission delivery.
> — Rep. James Walkinshaw

> With Iran targeting our critical infrastructure and frontier AI models creating new cyber risks, we must ensure we have a cybersecurity workforce to counter these growing threats.
> — Rep. Bennie Thompson

### Sources
- [House Dems Introduce Bill to Assess CISA Workforce Gaps – MeriTalk](https://www.meritalk.com/articles/house-dems-introduce-bill-to-assess-cisa-workforce-gaps) - MeriTalk
- [Dems seek top-to-bottom assessment of CISA workforce | CyberScoop](https://cyberscoop.com/house-democrats-cisa-force-structure-assessment-act) - CyberScoop