If More People in the U.S. Were Computer Literate, Would U.S. Cyber Security be Improved? (H.R. 53)

What is H.R. 53?

(Updated June 19, 2019)

This bill seeks to enhance U.S. cyber security by increasing Americans’ computer literacy on a number of fronts.

Essentially, the bill lays out a plan of action for the Office of Cybersecurity and Awareness Branch of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The bill tasks the office with:

• Recruiting cybersecurity workers for DHS;
  
• Supporting science, technology, and computer safety education for K-12 students, creating training programs in colleges, and boosting public knowledge;
  
• Improving access to technology programs at institutions of higher education that serve large percentages of people of color, and rural colleges and universities;
  
• Filing a report on ways to increase the presence of ethnic minorities in cybersecurity.
  

This bill comes with a number of specific policy plans aimed at promoting tech education, including:

• A grant program for science and technology education to schools in low-income and rural areas;
  
• The "K–12 Science and Technology Learning Program", which would provide curriculum, teacher training, and grants for technology education training;
  
• A matching program for after-school tech education programs;
  
• DHS grants for colleges and universities to buy computer equipment and information security programs;
  
• A mentorship program to pair undergrads and information security professionals;
  
• A fellowship program where state and local officials can learn from national cybersecurity professionals.
  

There’s an informational component to the bill, as well. It creates a Board of Advisors for K-12 tech education that would issue quarterly reports on their findings. A working group would also be created to study information technology education in colleges and universities, and another to ensure that colleges and universities are adequately equipped. The bill also tasks the National Science Foundation with studying the high drop-out rate for women and minorities in science, technology, engineering and math programs.

Argument in favor

This bill would, through a number of programs, increase technological literacy nationwide — particularly in communities with less access to it. This would, in turn, increase national cybersecurity.

Argument opposed

As both technology's capabilities and its role in our society increase, it’s important that knowledge of technology keep up. But education is not the Department of Homeland Security’s job.

Impact

The Department of Homeland Security, cybersecurity firms, hackers, h4xx0rz, Historically Black Institutions, colleges or universities that primarily serve African Americans or Hispanic people, Native American institutions.

Cost of H.R. 53

A CBO cost estimate is unavailable.

Additional Info

In Depth:

December of 2014 was a big month for cybersecurity legislation. Congress passed things like the Federal Information Security Modernization Act, which gave the DHS authority over U.S. cybersecurity, and the Cybersecurity Workforce Assessment Act, which requires the DHS to conduct internal reviews and develop strategy. That might have something to do with the Sony hacks at the end of November 2014. Though Sponsoring Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) announced this bill that month, she didn’t put it to Congress until 2015.

Of Note:

According to the 2013 Census, white and Asian families are more likely to have computer access than are families of other ethnicities. And, , wealthy people and the highly educated also have more access to computers. Also, those living in the West and the Northeast are more likely to have a high-speed Internet connection than folks in the Midwest or the South. 

Given the Internet’s increasingly important role in accessing jobs, healthcare, and education, the unequal spread of Internet has the potential to exacerbate economic and racial inequalities, as well. But while the bill contains a number of measures that are socially progressive, Rep. Jackson has framed it more as an issue of national defense. 

Media:

Sponsoring Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) Press Release (Previous Bill Version)

Politico