Bill Overview
Title: Cybersecurity Education Task Force Act of 2022
Description: This bill requires the Office of the National Cyber Director to establish the Cyber Education Task Force. The task force must issue recommendations and guidance for increasing and promoting cybersecurity courses, degrees, and programs in institutions of higher education to improve the diversity of the cybersecurity workforce.
Sponsors: Rep. Torres, Ritchie [D-NY-15]
Target Audience
Population: People involved or interested in cybersecurity education and degrees
Estimated Size: 500000
- Cybersecurity education is primarily a focus within higher education institutions, thus affecting current and prospective students in these programs.
- The legislation aims to increase the diversity of the cybersecurity workforce, indicating a focus on minority groups within prospective and current cybersecurity students and professionals.
- The focus on educational programs implies an influence not only in curriculum design but also in admissions and student recruitment strategies!
- Global interest in cybersecurity education can lead to impacts on international students and programs seeking to align with or compete based on US standards.
- The task force's recommendations may indirectly affect private sector technology firms by influencing the skills of future job applicants.
Reasoning
- Due to budget constraints and the focus on higher education, this policy will mostly impact students, prospective students, and educational institutions offering cybersecurity programs.
- Given the diversity focus, emphasis is on minority groups in education.
- The impact is expected to be moderate given the enrollment numbers in cybersecurity programs.
- Indirect effects could touch upon technology firms through the pool of applicants.
- Not everyone interested in the technology sector will be equally affected, as it targets a specific subset focusing on cybersecurity.
Simulated Interviews
Computer Science Student (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 21 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think having more courses and programs could give me more opportunities to learn and collaborate.
- Promoting diversity will help people like me feel more included and open more doors in the field.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Cybersecurity Professional (San Jose, CA)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's crucial to have more diversity in cybersecurity.
- The policy might expand my mentorship role, offering guidance to budding professionals.
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 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
University Admissions Officer (Boston, MA)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I appreciate the emphasis on diversity as it aligns with our current goals.
- It might result in more administrative work but is worth it if successful.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Graduate Student (Chicago, IL)
Age: 25 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Expansion of courses can improve my research resources.
- Diversity emphasis is refreshing and needed in academia.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Cybersecurity Lecturer (Dallas, TX)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've aimed to include diverse perspectives in my teaching, so this policy aligns well.
- It might enable me to develop more comprehensive course materials.
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 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Tech Industry Hiring Manager (New York, NY)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's good to potentially see more diverse candidates; diversity can drive innovation.
- Might need to adapt hiring processes to align with new education standards.
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 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
High School Senior (Miami, FL)
Age: 19 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm hoping this policy would give me more options when I choose courses.
- If it makes getting into the field easier, I'd be really grateful.
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 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Cybersecurity Program Coordinator (Seattle, WA)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Implementing these recommendations will require extra resources but is a positive change.
- I'm hoping it will lead to more funding for our programs.
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 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Higher Education Policy Maker (Raleigh, NC)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This can be a catalyst for creating wide-ranging reforms in education standards.
- Implementation challenges will need careful navigation.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Cybersecurity Intern (Baltimore, MD)
Age: 23 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm hoping this leads to more full-time job opportunities for people like me.
- Learning about policy changes could also provide valuable insights for my future career.
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 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $5000000 (Low: $4000000, High: $6000000)
Year 2: $4500000 (Low: $3500000, High: $5500000)
Year 3: $4500000 (Low: $3500000, High: $5500000)
Year 5: $4000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $5000000)
Year 10: $3500000 (Low: $2500000, High: $4500000)
Year 100: $3000000 (Low: $2000000, High: $4000000)
Key Considerations
- Coordination between educational institutions and industry stakeholders to align curricula with the needs of the cybersecurity sector.
- The potential need for state and local governments to adjust educational standards in response to federal guidance.
- Uncertainty around the extent of impact due to variability in adoption rates of the task force's recommendations by institutions.