Cybersecurity Skills Integration Act

Bill Number

H.R. 7885

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 2

Policy Area

Education

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-03-09: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Last Updated

2026-04-03T19:46:13Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The Cybersecurity Skills Integration Act aims to strengthen the cybersecurity skills of workers in critical infrastructure sectors—such as energy, water, or transportation systems essential to national security and daily life—by funding postsecondary (after high school) career and technical education programs that include cybersecurity training. This helps prepare people for jobs protecting these vital systems from cyber threats.

Key Provisions

• Pilot Grant Program: The Secretary of Education must start a competitive grant program within one year of the bill's enactment. Grants go to "eligible partnerships" to either create new postsecondary career and technical education (CTE) programs focused on critical infrastructure jobs with integrated cybersecurity education, or add cybersecurity elements to existing CTE programs.
• Eligible Partnerships: Must include at least one postsecondary educational institution (like community colleges or vocational schools) and two or more employers from critical infrastructure sectors with cybersecurity needs. Optional partners can include local governments, nonprofits, school districts, or state CTE agencies.
• Grant Details: Each grant is capped at $500,000 per fiscal year. Applications must describe program goals, alignment with workforce needs, use of the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) Framework (a government guide for cybersecurity skills), assessments or projects to prove skills, work-based learning (hands-on experiences like internships), diversity promotion, and plans for sustainability after the grant ends.
• Consultation and Oversight: The Secretary of Education will consult with the Secretaries of Labor and Homeland Security, and the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), to identify top workforce needs. Grants must be awarded across different U.S. regions for broad coverage.
• Reporting and Funding: Grant recipients must submit annual reports on fund use, student outcomes (including credentials earned and job placement, broken down by demographics like race, income, or disabilities), curriculum updates on emerging threats, and employment rates. The bill authorizes $10 million in funding.
• Definitions: Key terms include "critical infrastructure" (vital systems defined in the USA PATRIOT Act), "cybersecurity education" (training on defending systems, engineering skills for industrial controls, and ensuring physical safety), "recognized postsecondary credential" (certifications valued by employers, per the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), and "special populations" (groups like people with disabilities, low-income individuals, or foster youth).

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill introduces a new pilot program under the Department of Education, without directly amending prior laws. It builds on existing frameworks like the NICE Cybersecurity Workforce Framework and Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act definitions but creates a dedicated funding stream for integrating cybersecurity into CTE programs, which was not previously specified in federal education law.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: The Department of Education gains responsibility for administering the program, including grant reviews and reporting, potentially increasing workload. Collaboration with Labor, NIST, and Homeland Security could enhance inter-agency coordination on workforce development.
• Citizens and Workforce: Students and workers in critical infrastructure fields may gain better access to job-training programs leading to credentials and employment, improving job prospects in high-demand cybersecurity roles. It emphasizes serving underserved groups, potentially increasing diversity in the field.
• Critical Infrastructure Sectors: Employers could see a more skilled workforce better equipped to handle cyber threats, reducing vulnerabilities in essential services. No direct impacts on international relations are mentioned, though stronger domestic cybersecurity could indirectly support U.S. global security efforts.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Educational Institutions: Postsecondary schools (e.g., community colleges) as core partners, responsible for program development and delivery.
• Employers and Businesses: Critical infrastructure companies (e.g., utilities or transportation firms) that partner to identify needs and provide work-based learning.
• Students and Workers: Especially those in special populations, gaining targeted training for in-demand jobs.
• Government Entities: Department of Education (lead), plus Labor, NIST, and Homeland Security for input; state CTE agencies as optional partners.
• Communities: Nonprofits, local governments, and industry groups that may collaborate to support regional programs.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: The bill aligns cybersecurity education with established federal standards (e.g., NICE Framework) and requires annual updates to curricula based on evolving threats, ensuring programs remain relevant without mandating new regulations. It promotes equal access by requiring demographic reporting under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.
• Constitutional: No direct challenges; it supports the federal role in education and workforce development under the Spending Clause (Congress's power to fund programs) and promotes general welfare through national security enhancements.
• Political: As a bipartisan effort (introduced by Rep. Thompson and Rep. Bonamici), it addresses growing cyber risks to infrastructure without partisan divides. The $10 million authorization is modest, focusing on a pilot to test effectiveness, potentially paving the way for expanded funding if successful. It emphasizes diversity and sustainability, reflecting broader policy goals in equity and long-term workforce investment.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Thompson, Glenn [R-PA-15]

Cosponsors (1)

Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1]

Recent Actions

• 2026-03-09: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
• 2026-03-09: Introduced in House
• 2026-03-09: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Cybersecurity Skills Integration Act — issued 2026-03-09 — PDF (12 pages)