Bill Overview
Title: Cybersecurity Clinics Grant Program Act
Description: This bill directs the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency to award grants to fund university-based cybersecurity clinics at junior or community colleges, historically Black colleges and universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, and other minority-serving institutions.
Sponsors: Rep. Veasey, Marc A. [D-TX-33]
Target Audience
Population: Students and staff at targeted educational institutions
Estimated Size: 2000000
- The bill targets educational institutions, specifically junior/community colleges and minority-serving institutions like HBCUs and HSIs.
- These educational institutions serve a large number of students from minority and low-income backgrounds.
- Faculty and staff involved in the cybersecurity programs at these institutions will also be directly impacted as they may benefit from new funding and resources.
- The broader impact may extend to the cybersecurity workforce as these programs could produce more cybersecurity professionals.
Reasoning
- Around 2 million students and staff at targeted educational institutions could potentially benefit from the grants.
- The primary beneficiaries are students from minority and low-income backgrounds due to increased resources and new programs.
- The grants may enhance the institutions' cybersecurity training capabilities, potentially increasing students' job prospects in cybersecurity fields.
- Faculty members involved in cybersecurity programs will gain access to more resources, possibly enhancing their ability to teach effectively.
- While the target population is significant, not all students will be equally impacted; effects will vary by institution and individual involvement in cybersecurity programs.
- The immediate impact might be concentrated in areas where program development and resources are allocated, limiting the reach.
- The policy's budget constraints may affect only a subset of institutions within the targeted groups in the first year.
- Long-term, the policy could contribute to a more diverse cybersecurity workforce by empowering educational institutions.
- Indirect benefits could include heightened institutional prestige, which could attract more students to these institutions.
- Long-term wellbeing gains are based on improved job prospects and financial stability for graduates from these bolstered programs.
Simulated Interviews
Student (New York, NY)
Age: 19 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm excited about the potential new opportunities this might bring to my college.
- Cybersecurity is a field I'm interested in, and more resources could help me pursue this career.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Community College Professor (Houston, TX)
Age: 35 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Additional funding could help us update our curriculum and offer more hands-on experiences for students.
- It's a necessary step to build a diverse cybersecurity workforce.
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 | 7 |
Student (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 22 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope this means more scholarships and better access to resources for our cybersecurity program.
- This could make a significant difference for students like me who are struggling financially.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Cybersecurity Program Director (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Our program could greatly benefit from the additional funding, allowing us to expand and improve facilities.
- This policy could help increase enrollment and attract more diverse talent into cybersecurity.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
IT Support Specialist (Chicago, IL)
Age: 25 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- If my college had more resources when I was studying, I might have started my cybersecurity career sooner.
- It's definitely a positive move for current students.
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 |
Data Analyst (Miami, FL)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's encouraging to see initiatives that support minority-serving institutions.
- This could help many people like me who want a second chance at a career transition.
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 | 7 |
Student (Seattle, WA)
Age: 24 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 6.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm hopeful this will open up more career paths in cybersecurity for students like me.
- More resources mean better education and opportunities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Dean of Student Affairs (Dallas, TX)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 6.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This funding can enable us to better support our students, particularly in emerging fields like cybersecurity.
- Ensuring our faculty have the tools they need is critical.
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 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Junior Network Administrator (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Seeing my alma mater grow in this area is exciting and could pave the way for further opportunities for me.
- Investing in education like this is crucial for future workforce needs.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Senior Systems Manager (Charleston, SC)
Age: 45 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Access to better resources and funding will allow us to produce more capable cybersecurity professionals.
- This initiative is a step in the right direction for future-proofing our workforce.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $20000000 (Low: $15000000, High: $30000000)
Year 2: $21000000 (Low: $16000000, High: $31000000)
Year 3: $22000000 (Low: $17000000, High: $32000000)
Year 5: $23000000 (Low: $18000000, High: $33000000)
Year 10: $25000000 (Low: $20000000, High: $35000000)
Year 100: $35000000 (Low: $30000000, High: $45000000)
Key Considerations
- Ensuring optimal program implementation and effectiveness to meet cybersecurity needs of the targeted institutions.
- Monitoring by CISA to ensure the grants are being utilized effectively.
- Potential for enhancing the cybersecurity workforce both in quantity and quality.
- Possible indirect cost savings through prevention of cyber threats.