Bill Overview
Title: Cybersecurity Skills Integration Act
Description: This bill requires the Department of Education to establish a pilot program in order to award grants to partnerships between postsecondary educational institutions and employers in critical infrastructure sectors for cybersecurity education programs.
Sponsors: Rep. Langevin, James R. [D-RI-2]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals involved in cybersecurity education and employment in critical infrastructure sectors
Estimated Size: 200000
- The bill targets partnerships between educational institutions and critical infrastructure employers, implying an impact on students in these institutions.
- Postsecondary students will gain access to enhanced cybersecurity programs, broadening their career prospects in cybersecurity.
- Employers in critical infrastructure sectors will experience an increase in qualified cybersecurity professionals.
- The workforce in critical infrastructure sectors, such as energy, communications, and finance, will ultimately benefit from improved cybersecurity measures.
Reasoning
- The policy targets a niche but significant portion of the population, focusing on postsecondary students and critical infrastructure workers.
- The policy's budget constraints will necessitate a strategic allocation of resources to make the most effective impact within educational programs and relevant industries.
- Not all students and employers will be directly impacted; those in non-critical sectors might see minimal changes.
- Given the focus on cybersecurity, the policy aligns well with emerging global security concerns, potentially enhancing employability and societal security.
- Considering the scope of the policy, its impact might be more immediate among students and gradually visible among employers as trained professionals enter the workforce.
Simulated Interviews
Computer Science Student (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 21 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm excited about the potential partnerships my university could form under this policy.
- Having direct links to employers in the industry will probably provide me with better job opportunities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 9 |
Cybersecurity Manager (Houston, TX)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy may ease our hiring process by increasing the pool of qualified candidates.
- Our industry needs this kind of focused educational output.
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 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Cybersecurity Analyst (New York, NY)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having more robust programs would have aided my learning and career growth easily.
- I hope it includes community colleges too.
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 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Information Technology Student (Raleigh, NC)
Age: 23 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This is a great opportunity, but it might be too late for me personally.
- Working alongside employers during the course could have been beneficial.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Freelance Cybersecurity Consultant (Chicago, IL)
Age: 28 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm skeptical about the bureaucracy involved, it might delay immediate benefits.
- Hopefully, the focus isn't just on large universities and companies.
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 |
Finance Sector Employee (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The resulting increase in skilled workers can only benefit our sector's security operations.
- This might take time to trickle down though.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 9 |
Information Systems Student (Boston, MA)
Age: 19 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 12.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- A program like this would mean access to internships and better resources.
- It sounds like an opportunity to specialize early in my career.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 9 |
Professor of Computer Science (Seattle, WA)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The grants could significantly expand our capacity for research and student engagement.
- It can put us on the map for cybersecurity education.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 8 |
Software Developer (Austin, TX)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I doubt this policy will impact me directly, but more skilled professionals in the market can only help the industry.
- Maybe in indirect ways, it will lead to stronger tech innovations.
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 |
Retired IT Executive (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is a positive step towards addressing a crucial skill gap.
- Preparation against cyber threats is essential, and this will help immensely.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $50000000 (Low: $40000000, High: $70000000)
Year 2: $40000000 (Low: $30000000, High: $60000000)
Year 3: $35000000 (Low: $30000000, High: $50000000)
Year 5: $30000000 (Low: $25000000, High: $45000000)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- This is a pilot program, so costs may vary based on initial findings and adjustments required for optimal implementation.
- Collaboration between educational institutions and industry may result in variable outcomes; successful partnerships could lead to reduced cybersecurity threats.
- Long-term benefits include workforce development in a high-demand field, vital for evolving U.S. defensive capabilities against cyber threats.