H.R. 9689: DHS Cybersecurity Internship Program Act

This bill is known as the DHS Cybersecurity Internship Program Act. It aims to create a cybersecurity internship program within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Here’s a summary of its key components:

Program Overview

The bill establishes a cybersecurity internship program where eligible individuals can participate in paid internships with DHS. The duties of these internships will correspond to the participants' educational backgrounds, skills, and experiences.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the internship program, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be a citizen of the United States.
• Be at least 16 years old.
• Be enrolled in a secondary school, technical school, vocational school, or institution of higher education.

Inclusivity Measures

The Secretary of DHS is required to ensure that participants selected for the internship include students from various educational backgrounds, which may include:

• Secondary schools
• Junior or community colleges
• Undergraduate degree programs
• Postgraduate degree programs
• Technical, trade, or vocational schools

Reporting Requirements

The Secretary must submit reports on the program to Congress. These reports will cover:

• Outreach efforts to raise awareness about the program among schools and educational institutions.
• Recruiting efforts to boost participation.
• The number of participants in the program, categorized by the types of institutions they are enrolled in.
• Information about the duties and Department components involved for each participant.

Definitions

The bill includes specific definitions for terms such as:

• Historically Black College or University: Defined per the Higher Education Act of 1965.
• Institution of Higher Education: Defined per the Higher Education Act of 1965.
• Junior or Community College: Defined per the Higher Education Act of 1965.
• Minority-Serving Institution: Defined as per the Higher Education Act of 1965.
• Secondary School: Defined as a school providing secondary education, not including education beyond grade 12.
• Technical, Trade, or Vocational School: Defined as per relevant federal regulations.

Clerical Amendments

The bill also includes a clerical amendment to update the table of contents within the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to reflect the new section regarding the cybersecurity internship program.

Relevant Companies

• CSCO - Cisco Systems, Inc.: Likely to be impacted as a major player in cybersecurity technologies and services, participating in internships could mean they may collaborate with DHS for recruitment or training.
• IBM - International Business Machines Corporation: As a leader in cybersecurity solutions, IBM may also engage in partnerships with DHS through internships, helping recruit talent directly from program participants.
• MSFT - Microsoft Corporation: With a significant focus on cybersecurity, Microsoft might look to leverage the internship program for talent development and workforce readiness in cybersecurity fields.