Overview
Title
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish a DHS Cybersecurity Internship Program, and for other purposes.
ELI5 AI
H. R. 9689 wants to start a new program where students can do special jobs about computers at a big government place that keeps everyone safe. The students get paid to learn while they help out, and the people in charge have to let everyone know how it's going every year.
Summary AI
H. R. 9689 seeks to modify the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to introduce a cybersecurity internship program within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The program is designed for U.S. citizens who are at least 16 years old and are attending secondary schools, colleges, or other educational institutions. Participants will engage in paid internships aligned with their education and skills. The Secretary of DHS is required to report annually on outreach efforts, program participation, and recruiting activities, particularly targeting diverse educational institutions.
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AnalysisAI
Summary of the Bill
The proposed legislation, known as the DHS Cybersecurity Internship Program Act (H.R. 9689), seeks to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002. Its primary objective is to establish a cybersecurity internship program within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This program is designed to provide paid internships to eligible U.S. citizens aged 16 and above who are students at various educational institutions, including secondary schools, junior or community colleges, undergraduate, and postgraduate programs, as well as technical, trade, or vocational schools. The legislation also mandates the DHS Secretary to report annually to Congress on the program's outreach, recruitment efforts, and participant engagement.
Significant Issues
The bill, while well-intentioned, carries several significant issues that warrant attention:
Lack of Budgetary Details: The bill does not specify a budget or funding source for the cybersecurity internship program. This absence of financial detail raises concerns about potential oversight and the risk of unallocated or wasteful spending, which could undermine fiscal responsibility.
Selection Process Concerns: There is a lack of detail regarding how internship participants will be selected and how their duties will align with their educational background. This could lead to potential biases or favoritism, creating ethical concerns around the selection process.
Equity in Recruitment Efforts: While the bill calls for increased participation, there might be an inadvertent preference for certain schools or institutions due to uneven recruitment efforts. This could raise political and ethical concerns about equal access to opportunities for all students, particularly those from minority-serving institutions.
Complexity in Language and References: The text's heavy reliance on legal terms and references to other legislation, such as the Higher Education Act of 1965, may pose challenges for understanding and implementation. This complexity can be a barrier to stakeholders who are not well-versed in legal or bureaucratic language.
Lack of Accountability in Reporting Requirements: Although annual reporting is required, the bill does not specify accountability measures to ensure the quality and effectiveness of outreach and recruitment efforts. This may impact transparency and the overall efficacy of the program.
Impact on the Public and Stakeholders
The establishment of a cybersecurity internship program at DHS could have broad positive implications for the public by potentially enhancing national security through the development of a skilled cybersecurity workforce. By tapping into a diverse pool of young talent, the initiative could also inspire innovation and vigor in the cybersecurity field, ultimately benefiting cybersecurity practices nationwide.
Specific stakeholders, such as students at various educational institutions, educational administrators, and DHS itself, could see diverse impacts:
Students: Those attending secondary schools, community colleges, and other educational institutions could gain valuable work experience and insight into a government agency. However, without a clear selection process, some students may feel excluded due to perceived biases.
Educational Institutions: Schools and colleges may benefit from aligning their curricula with DHS interests to better prepare students for these internships. However, institutions may also need to compete for attention to ensure equitable recruiting is conducted.
DHS and the Cybersecurity Sector: The program could aid DHS in addressing cybersecurity staffing shortages and fostering a generation of tech-savvy professionals. However, without clear budgeting and accountability frameworks, the program might face challenges in its execution and sustainability.
In conclusion, while the DHS Cybersecurity Internship Program Act proposes a forward-thinking initiative, its successful implementation will depend heavily on addressing these outlined concerns. With careful refinement, the bill has the potential to bolster cybersecurity capabilities while offering meaningful opportunities for the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.
Issues
The bill lacks specific budgetary details or cost estimates for the cybersecurity internship program (Sections 2 and 1334), raising concerns about potential financial oversight and unallocated or wasteful spending, which is significant for fiscal responsibility and accountability.
The absence of a detailed selection process and criteria for internship participants (Sections 2 and 1334) can lead to potential biases or favoritism, raising ethical concerns about how interns are selected based on their educational alignment and skills.
The descriptions of recruiting efforts to increase participation (Section 1334) could inadvertently favor certain schools or institutions if not conducted equitably, leading to political and ethical concerns about unequal access or preferential treatment for students from specific types of educational institutions.
The complex language used and the reliance on referencing multiple sections of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (Section 1334) could hinder understanding and implementation, particularly for parties not familiar with legislative or bureaucratic language, posing legal challenges.
The requirement for annual reports lacks specific accountability measures (Section 1334), which could affect the quality and effectiveness of the program's outreach and recruitment efforts, raising concerns about transparency and program efficacy.
Potential overlap or redundancy in reports required under Section 1334 and Section 1333(e), without clear guidance on consolidation, might lead to inefficiencies in reporting processes, impacting administrative coherence and resource allocation.
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Short title Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The first section of this Act states that it can be referred to as the “DHS Cybersecurity Internship Program Act.”
2. Department of homeland security cybersecurity internship program." Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section establishes a Cybersecurity Internship Program at the Department of Homeland Security, where eligible U.S. citizens who are students at various educational levels can participate in paid internships. It outlines the program's eligibility criteria, reporting requirements, and definitions for relevant terms like "minority-serving institutions" and "technical, trade, or vocational schools."
1334. Cybersecurity internship program Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section outlines a cybersecurity internship program established by the Secretary, allowing eligible U.S. citizens aged 16 and up, who are students in various educational institutions, to engage in paid internships at the Department. It requires the Secretary to ensure diverse participants from multiple educational backgrounds are included, and mandates annual reports on the program's outreach, recruitment, and participant engagement to be submitted to relevant Congressional committees.