Garbarino, Katko unveil bipartisan bill to incorporate cybersecurity into school curriculum

U.S. Reps. Andrew Garbarino (R-NY) and John Katko (R-NY) recently proposed bipartisan legislation that would award grants to states, local governments and educational institutions to purchase cybersecurity curriculum and educational tools.

“Cyberattacks are the next frontier in the great power competition with China and Russia and we must act now to mitigate this threat and build resilience throughout our citizenry,” said Rep. Garbarino, ranking member of the U.S. House Homeland Security Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, & Innovation Subcommittee. 

Rep. Garbarino on Feb. 28 sponsored the Cybersecurity Grants For Schools Act of 2022. H.R. 6868, with original cosponsors including Rep. Katko and U.S. Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV). The bill also would award financial assistance to nonprofit organizations and other non-federal entities that are deemed appropriate by the director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), according to information provided by the lawmakers.

“The threat of cyberattacks from Russia and other foreign adversaries is more prevalent than ever. Cybersecurity is essential for our national security and economic security,” Rep. Garbarino said. “By incorporating cybersecurity into our school’s curriculum, alongside core subjects like math and science, we will be able to bring up the next generation with a strong foundation to not only protect themselves individually from cybercrimes, but also to inspire greater participation in the cybersecurity workforce.”

If enacted, H.R. 6868 would authorize grants be provided through the Cybersecurity Education and Training Assistance Program, which was first authorized at CISA in the fiscal year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act to provide cybersecurity resources and training for K-12 education, according to the lawmakers’ information.

H.R. 6868 also would enhance the program by adding the ability to provide the financial assistance needed to cultivate diverse cybersecurity professionals needed to tackle the workforce gap, the information says.

“The Cybersecurity Grants for Schools Act bolsters CISA’s ability to engage with institutions of higher education and make a meaningful impact on the nation’s shortage of cybersecurity professionals by investing in students early in their careers,” said Rep. Katko. “Rep. Garbarino is taking an important step forward with this bill and I applaud his steadfast leadership on this issue.”

The Cyber Innovation Center endorsed the bill, which the House Homeland Security Committee marked up on March 2.