Right now in Washington, Congress is working to reopen the federal government and restore full operations. The Senate recently voted to advance a funding bill that would extend federal funding through Jan. 30, 2026 and include major appropriations measures. At the same time, important cybersecurity authorities such as the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act (CISA) have lapsed, leaving legal protections for cyber threat-sharing in limbo.
What this means for you: as government agencies and contractors get back into full motion, the demand for certified cybersecurity talent is about to surge — especially for professionals who are skilled, current, and ready to hit the ground running.
Why the Congressional Activity Matters for Cyber Professionals
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The longer government operations are paused or underfunded, the more backlog builds in systems modernization, compliance audits, infrastructure refreshes, and cyber-risk mitigation. This means when things reopen, agencies will scramble to catch up — creating opportunities for cybersecurity professionals.
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The lapse in CISA and the threat of weaker legal structures for sharing cyber threat intelligence means agencies and private sector players alike will prioritize talent who can help fill the gap.
- With budget negotiations underway and cyber policy priorities under the spotlight (including from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and other federal entities) the need for credentialed practitioners is greater than ever.
Step 1: Assess Where You Stand
Since infrastructure and operations are about to ramp back up, take a moment to ask yourself:
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Are your certifications still valid and relevant to today’s government/contractor space?
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Do you understand the latest threat landscape including state actors, supply-chain attacks, and AI-driven threats?
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Are you ready to step into roles that involve risk management, threat intelligence sharing, and compliance with federal standards?
Step 2: Invest in High-Value Certifications
In this environment, these credentials stand out:
- CompTIA Security+ – Best for establishing the core knowledge required of any cybersecurity role and provides a springboard to intermediate-level cybersecurity jobs.
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Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) — Perfect for leadership, architecture, governance roles.
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Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) — Excellent for roles in penetration testing, offensive security, vulnerability assessments.
These certifications signal to employers and federal agencies that you’re serious, prepared and certified to deliver.
Step 3: Take Advantage of Our Offerings Today
At Eric Reed Live we’re committed to helping you get ahead now.
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CEH Flash Sale: Check out our great CEH deals — including official courseware, labs, fast-track exam prep and 2 exam vouchers.
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CISSP Training Deal: Significant savings to help you prepare for the next stage of your career.
- Eric Reed Holiday Deals: Check out the upcoming deals.
With the government reopening and cyber priorities shifting, now is the time to act.
Step 4: Position Yourself for the Surge
When Congress stabilizes funding and cyber policy laws like threat-information sharing are renewed, agencies and contractors will be looking for talent who:
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Already hold or are close to holding key certifications
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Understand federal cyber standards (e.g., NIST, zero-trust, multifactor auth)
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Can move quickly once contracts and hiring reopen in earnest
This is your window. Set yourself up now so you’re ready when the wave hits.
We’re here to help you get ahead of the curve. Whether you’re just getting started or you’re ready to move into a senior role — now is the time.
Explore our courses and deals: Eric Reed Live