117 S2305 RS: Cybersecurity Opportunity Act U.S. Senate 2021-06-24 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.
IICalendar No. 256117th CONGRESS2d SessionS. 2305[Report No. 117–59]IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESJune 24, 2021Mr. Ossoff (for himself, Mr. Tillis, Mr. Scott of South Carolina, Mr. King, Mr. Cornyn, Ms. Cortez Masto, Mr. Kelly, Mr. Rounds, and Mr. Boozman) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental AffairsJanuary 20, 2022Reported by Mr. Peters, with an amendmentStrike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italicA BILLTo enhance cybersecurity education.
1.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the Cybersecurity Opportunity Act.
2.
Dr. David Satcher cybersecurity education grant program
(a)
Authorization of grants
The Secretary of Homeland Security shall—(1)award grants to assist public institutions of higher education that have an enrollment of needy students (as defined in section 312(d) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1058(d))), Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and minority-serving institutions, to establish or expand cybersecurity programs, to build and upgrade institutional capacity to better support new or existing cybersecurity programs, including cybersecurity partnerships with public and private entities, and to support such institutions on the path to producing qualified entrants in the cybersecurity workforce or becoming a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity through the program carried out by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security; and(2)award grants for a 5-year pilot period to build capacity to public institutions of higher education that have an enrollment of needy students (as defined in section 312(d) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1058(d))), Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and minority-serving institutions, to expand cybersecurity education opportunities, cybersecurity technology and programs, cybersecurity research, and cybersecurity partnerships with public and private entities. (b)
Applications
An eligible institution seeking a grant under subsection (a) shall submit an application to the Secretary of Homeland Security at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may reasonably require, including a statement of how the institution will use the funds awarded through the grant to expand cybersecurity education opportunities at the eligible institution.(c)
Activities
An eligible institution that receives a grant under this section may use the funds awarded through such grant for increasing research, education, technical, partnership, and innovation capacity, including for—(1)building and upgrading institutional capacity to better support new or existing cybersecurity programs, including cybersecurity partnerships with public and private entities; and (2)building and upgrading institutional capacity to provide hands-on research and training experiences for undergraduate and graduate students.
1.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the Cybersecurity Opportunity Act.
2.
Dr. David Satcher cybersecurity education grant program
(a)
Definitions
In this Act:(1)
Enrollment of needy students
The term enrollment of needy students has the meaning given the term in section 312(d) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1058(d)).(2)
Historically black college or university
The term historically Black college or university has the meaning given the term part B institution as defined in section 322 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1061). (3)
Institution of higher education
The term institution of higher education has the meaning given the term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)).(4)
Minority-serving institution
The term minority-serving institution means an institution listed in section 371(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1067q(a)).(5)
Secretary
The term Secretary means the Secretary of Homeland Security. (b)
Authorization of grants
(1)
In general
The Secretary shall—(A)award grants to assist institutions of higher education that have an enrollment of needy students, historically Black colleges and universities, and minority-serving institutions, to establish or expand cybersecurity programs, to build and upgrade institutional capacity to better support new or existing cybersecurity programs, including cybersecurity partnerships with public and private entities, and to support such institutions on the path to producing qualified entrants in the cybersecurity workforce or becoming a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity; and(B)award grants to build capacity at institutions of higher education that have an enrollment of needy students, historically Black colleges and universities, and minority-serving institutions, to expand cybersecurity education opportunities, cybersecurity technology and programs, cybersecurity research, and cybersecurity partnerships with public and private entities. (2)
Reservation
The Secretary shall award not less than 50 percent of the amount available for grants under this Act to historically Black colleges and universities and minority-serving institutions.(3)
Coordination
The Secretary shall carry out this section in coordination with the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education at the National Institute of Standards and Technology. (4)
Sunset
The Secretary's authority to award grants under paragraph (1) shall terminate on the date that is 5 years after the date the Secretary first awards a grant under paragraph (1). (5)
Amounts to remain available
Notwithstanding section 1552 of title 31, United States Code, or any other provision of law, funds available to the Secretary for obligation for a grant under this section shall remain available for expenditure for 100 days after the last day of the performance period of such grant. (c)
Applications
An eligible institution seeking a grant under subsection (a) shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may reasonably require, including a statement of how the institution will use the funds awarded through the grant to expand cybersecurity education opportunities at the eligible institution.(d)
Activities
An eligible institution that receives a grant under this section may use the funds awarded through such grant for increasing research, education, technical, partnership, and innovation capacity, including for—(1)building and upgrading institutional capacity to better support new or existing cybersecurity programs, including cybersecurity partnerships with public and private entities; (2)building and upgrading institutional capacity to provide hands-on research and training experiences for undergraduate and graduate students; and(3)outreach and recruitment to ensure students are aware of such new or existing cybersecurity programs, including cybersecurity partnerships with public and private entities. (e)
Reporting requirements
Not later than—(1)1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter until the Secretary submits the report under paragraph (2), the Secretary shall prepare and submit to Congress a report on the status and progress of implementation of the grant program under this Act, including on the number and nature of institutions participating, the number and nature of students served by institutions receiving grants, the level of funding provided to grant recipients, the types of activities being funded by the grants program, and plans for future implementation and development; and(2)5 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall prepare and submit to Congress a report on the status of cybersecurity education programming and capacity-building at institutions receiving grants under this Act, including changes in the scale and scope of these programs, associated facilities, or in accreditation status, and on the educational and employment outcomes of students participating in cybersecurity programs that have received support under this Act.(f)
Performance metrics
The Secretary of Homeland Security shall establish performance metrics for grants awarded under this section.
January 20, 2022Reported with an amendment