Bill Overview
Title: National Computer Forensics Institute Reauthorization Act of 2022
Description: This bill reauthorizes through FY2028 the National Computer Forensics Institute within the U.S. Secret Service.
Sponsors: Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals benefitting from the operation of the National Computer Forensics Institute
Estimated Size: 1000000
- The National Computer Forensics Institute (NCFI) provides training to state, local, tribal, and territorial officers on computer forensics, network intrusion response, and how to conduct cyber investigations.
- The NCFI is a part of the U.S. Secret Service, and its operations are likely conducted within the United States.
- The target population affected by the legislation includes law enforcement officers and other personnel who are trained at the institute.
- Such training can impact broader community safety and cyber security due to more effectively trained officers.
Reasoning
- The National Computer Forensics Institute (NCFI) reauthorization targets law enforcement officers and personnel who would be receiving advanced training in computer forensics, network intrusion response, and cyber investigations.
- Given a $15.5 million initial budget and $167 million over 10 years, the policy can maintain and expand the training program, enhancing cybersecurity capabilities in the U.S.
- While directly, only law enforcement benefitting from training are impacted at first glance, the indirect impact spans wider, improving community safety and reducing cybercrime risks as a whole.
- The budget constraints suggest the policy can moderately increase training capacity, but will remain focused on law enforcement officers within the constraints of the U.S. Secret Service's operational target population.
- Considering this, the direct population benefiting may not see drastic changes in wellbeing, but indirect community benefits might enhance security perceptions over time.
Simulated Interviews
Detective (Palo Alto, CA)
Age: 35 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The NCFI training has been invaluable in equipping us with the skills needed to handle the complex issues surrounding cybercrime.
- Reauthorizing and funding this program ensures that our skills remain updated with the latest techniques.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
IT Consultant (Miami, FL)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Not personally receiving training, but my role supports trained personnel in implementing their new skills.
- More skilled officers mean fewer successful cyberattacks and incidents to consult upon.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Sheriff (Rural Kansas)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm unfamiliar with the complexities of cybercrimes.
- Access to NCFI resources could vastly enhance our preparedness in incidents.
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 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Cybersecurity Analyst (New York, NY)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- More trained officers will ease my interactions with law enforcement.
- The standardized training improves consistency in handling cyber threats.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Chief Information Security Officer (Chicago, IL)
Age: 45 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policy continuity means more experienced partners to work with.
- Increases trust with law enforcement in handling breaches effectively.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Law Enforcement Officer (Austin, TX)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The opportunity to specialize in cyber forensics is exciting.
- A broader skillset will enable more proactive crime prevention.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Retired Officer (Seattle, WA)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having a structured institute go on enhances the quality of the counsel I provide.
- Programs like NCFI keep law enforcement relevant and well-equipped.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Public Safety Strategist (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 37 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Continued funding fuels forward-thinking law enforcement strategies.
- An informed force is crucial as cyber threats evolve.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Technology Journalist (Boston, MA)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Reauthorizing the institute bolsters the integrity of national cyber defense.
- Law enforcement training directly affects cyber resilience narratives I cover.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Cyber Forensics Trainer (Houston, TX)
Age: 50 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 1/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Reauthorization ensures job stability and a steady influx of trainees.
- It affirms the sustained importance of cyber forensics in the law enforcement landscape.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $15500000 (Low: $14000000, High: $16000000)
Year 2: $15750000 (Low: $14250000, High: $16250000)
Year 3: $16000000 (Low: $14500000, High: $16500000)
Year 5: $16500000 (Low: $15000000, High: $17000000)
Year 10: $18000000 (Low: $16500000, High: $18500000)
Year 100: $30000000 (Low: $25000000, High: $35000000)
Key Considerations
- The NCFI is part of the U.S. Secret Service, emphasizing national security.
- The reauthorization spans five years, with a presumed operational budget informed by historical trends.
- Potential economic benefits lie in improved cybercrime management.