Bill Overview
Title: A bill to require the Secretary of Defense to seek to engage with the Ministry of Defence of the Kingdom of Jordan for the purpose of expanding cooperation of military cybersecurity activities, and for other purposes.
Description: This bill requires the Department of Defense, in coordination with the Department of State, to expand military cybersecurity cooperation with Jordan. These efforts may include (1) bilateral cybersecurity training activities; (2) establishing a regional cybersecurity center; (3) actively defending military networks, infrastructure, and systems; (4) eradicating malicious cyber activity; and (5) leveraging U.S. commercial and military cybersecurity technology and services.
Sponsors: Sen. Rounds, Mike [R-SD]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals involved in and impacted by U.S.-Jordan cybersecurity cooperation
Estimated Size: 50000
- The bill impacts the U.S. Department of Defense and U.S. armed personnel involved in cybersecurity operations related to Jordan.
- U.S. companies providing cybersecurity technology and services may benefit, impacting their employees and management.
- The bill mentions cybersecurity training activities, which could involve U.S. military trainers.
- The U.S. Department of State is involved, affecting its personnel who coordinate international defense agreements.
- The general U.S. public is not directly impacted, but national security benefits might indirectly influence public safety.
Reasoning
- The U.S. military personnel and contractors working directly in cybersecurity operations are the most impacted by the policy, as it directly involves enhancing cybersecurity cooperation with Jordan.
- U.S. cybersecurity companies providing services to the Department of Defense stand to gain business, indirectly benefiting their employees and economically strengthening the sector.
- The policy primarily influences those engaged in military cybersecurity roles and those indirectly involved through commerce and administration, which form a specialized subset of the broader workforce.
- General U.S. public safety could be marginally enhanced by better cybersecurity practices abroad, but this effect is difficult to measure and likely perceived as negligible by the general populace.
- Budget limitations primarily influence the scale and scope of cybersecurity collaborations and training activities planned, affecting how expansively the policy is implemented.
Simulated Interviews
Cybersecurity Analyst (Falls Church, VA)
Age: 32 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy allows me to engage in more meaningful work and secure my job position.
- It feels good to contribute towards enhanced security measures.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Software Engineer (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Increased contracts with the government are beneficial for my company.
- While exciting, my day-to-day tasks remain mostly unchanged.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Diplomat (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 1.5 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policy enhances the strategic ties we have been nurturing in the region.
- Though not directly impacted, the added layer of cooperation improves morale.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Small Business Owner (Austin, TX)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- More opportunities may arise for my business to enter joint projects.
- Policy seems beneficial but doesn't dramatically change the growth trajectory.
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 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Cybersecurity Training Manager (Chicago, IL)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy provides an avenue for growth and innovation in training methods.
- I feel a more sustained trajectory in my career path.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 10 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Defense Policy Analyst (New York, NY)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy aligns with cooperative defense strategies I've advocated.
- Little day-to-day change but pleasing to see strategic policy work realized.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Military Officer in Cyber Defense (Colorado Springs, CO)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This boosts mission success probability significantly, a key concern of mine.
- Feelings of job stability and importance are enhanced.
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 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
IT Professional (Seattle, WA)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy feels somewhat distant from my job but reassuring in a broader sense.
- Security abroad indirectly improves domestic confidence in cybersecurity.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Graduate Student in International Relations (Boston, MA)
Age: 28 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 1.5 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Provides a valuable case study for my thesis.
- Positively highlights U.S. role in international cybersecurity collaboration.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Civilian Contractor (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Opens up possibilities for international assignments, which I find rewarding.
- Not certain of immediate effects, but optimistic about future engagement.
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 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $75000000 (Low: $50000000, High: $100000000)
Year 2: $80000000 (Low: $55000000, High: $105000000)
Year 3: $85000000 (Low: $60000000, High: $110000000)
Year 5: $90000000 (Low: $65000000, High: $115000000)
Year 10: $95000000 (Low: $70000000, High: $120000000)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- International cooperation often involves complex negotiations, which might delay cost implementations.
- Costs might be shared with Jordan and potentially other regional allies, altering the U.S. budget impact.
- Potential additional indirect savings from improved cybersecurity can offset costs through risk reduction.