§665f Cybersecurity Education and Training Programs

Summary

Creates a program called CETAP inside the Agency to help build a national cybersecurity workforce by supporting cybersecurity education in elementary and secondary schools. It must provide basic cybersecurity awareness and literacy, encourage students to explore cybersecurity careers, and help teach cybersecurity skills. The Director must make and share school-ready curricula and career materials, run teacher training, build teaching resources, offer student programs like camps, work with State and local education agencies so offerings match their curricula, link with the Department’s post‑secondary and workforce programs, support national K–12 cyber education standards, and partner with relevant groups. The Director must also work to roll out the program across the country, giving special attention to underserved communities. Within 1 year of starting CETAP, and every year after, the Secretary must brief the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and the House Committee on Homeland Security. Each briefing must include estimated numbers of students and teachers reached; outreach and engagement efforts (including work with State and local agencies); details on any grants or cooperative agreements and how they help underserved communities; information on new curricula and teacher training tools; and coordination with post‑secondary and workforce programs. The Director may use appropriated funds for marketing, recognition items, and recruitment. The Director may also award grants or cooperative agreements to States, local governments, institutions of higher education (as defined in section 1001 of title 20), nonprofits, and other non‑Federal entities to fund cybersecurity and infrastructure security education and to help address the national shortage of cybersecurity professionals.