Bill Overview
Title: National Community College Cybersecurity Challenge Act
Description: This bill provides funding for and establishes two grants to expand cybersecurity programs at community colleges. It also rescinds certain funds provided under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) and the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021.
Sponsors: Rep. McClain, Lisa C. [R-MI-10]
Target Audience
Population: Community college students worldwide
Estimated Size: 2500000
- Community colleges are one of the main entry points for students into higher education, especially in the United States.
- Expanding cybersecurity programs will directly benefit students enrolled in community colleges who are seeking cybersecurity education and career opportunities.
- Given the widespread access to community colleges in the US, millions of students have the potential to be affected by expansions in programs offered.
- STEM fields, including cybersecurity, are seen as a major priority in educational policy to ensure economic competitiveness and national security.
- The cybersecurity industry has a high demand for skilled professionals, and this program expansion in community colleges will aim to address workforce gaps in this area.
Reasoning
- The National Community College Cybersecurity Challenge Act specifically targets students in community colleges, focusing on expanding cybersecurity programs.
- This policy would have a direct impact on students interested in cybersecurity by providing more resources and potentially increasing career opportunities.
- Students not interested in cybersecurity or not attending community colleges might see minimal or no impact.
- Community colleges are spread across the U.S., offering a wide geographical impact, however, the diversity in program quality and participation can vary.
- A significant portion of community college students are from lower-income backgrounds; this act might offer them improved job prospects, impacting their overall wellbeing.
- The industry demand for cybersecurity professionals is growing, making investments in education for this field timely and relevant.
- The budget allocated might initially support program setups or enhancements more than directly influencing students, with benefits being more noticeable in the medium to long term.
Simulated Interviews
Student (Houston, Texas)
Age: 19 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think it's great that there is more support for cybersecurity programs. This is an area I'm interested in, and having more resources can help me with my studies and career plans.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Part-time worker and student (Los Angeles, California)
Age: 27 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This is a big deal for someone like me who wants to shift careers. More cybersecurity courses could give me the skills I need for a better job.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Student (New York, New York)
Age: 22 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm interested in exploring tech fields. If the college offers more cybersecurity courses, I might consider taking them.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Single mother and student (Chicago, Illinois)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This act could lead to more online courses or flexible learning schedules, which would help me manage my responsibilities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Student (Seattle, Washington)
Age: 24 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- With my military background, cybersecurity is a good fit. Extra resources in schools will definitely open up more opportunities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Community College Administrator (Miami, Florida)
Age: 45 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This is an excellent initiative to address skill gaps. However, implementing these programs will require careful planning and resource allocation.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
High School Senior (Cleveland, Ohio)
Age: 18 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 6.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm excited about the possibility of more cybersecurity programs. It would give me more options as I think about future careers.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Freelance IT Consultant (Phoenix, Arizona)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- If the college can offer more, I would be able to offer better courses and possibly make cybersecurity my full-time focus.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Unemployed (Denver, Colorado)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 6.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy might help me find new opportunities to learn and get back into a stable job, especially in a high-demand field like cybersecurity.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Factory worker (Rural Alabama)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy doesn't really affect me as I'm not going back to school, but it might be good for younger workers who need to upskill.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $75000000 (Low: $50000000, High: $100000000)
Year 2: $77000000 (Low: $52000000, High: $102000000)
Year 3: $79200000 (Low: $54000000, High: $105000000)
Year 5: $84000000 (Low: $57000000, High: $111000000)
Year 10: $92000000 (Low: $62000000, High: $120000000)
Year 100: $150000000 (Low: $100000000, High: $200000000)
Key Considerations
- The initial cost burden is mitigated significantly by rescinding unused funds, which helps balance new expenditures.
- Long-term benefits include an expanded and upskilled cybersecurity workforce supporting national economic security.
- The scalability and effectiveness of the grant programs will be key in determining the net cost and impact.
- The bill may directly align with current federal priorities on cybersecurity and STEM workforce development.