According to Federal Computer Week (FCW), a new cybersecurity bill was introduced on January 7 by Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas). The bill would establish an E-Security Fellows Program to award fellowships to state, local, tribal and private sector officials. The program would be set up by the National Cybersecurity Division (NCSD) within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and enable participants to learn more about DHS cyber efforts and build better collaboration between federal, state, local, tribal and private sector efforts.
The bill would also enhance cybersecurity research and training by working with the National Science Foundation (NSF) to establish grant programs to bolster higher education programs in cybersecurity. Similar bills were introduced in the past - H.R. 263 in January 2007 and H.R. 3108 in June 2005.
As a state government cybersecurity official and someone who has worked closely with DHS over the past several years representing Michigan and the National Association of Chief Information Officers (NASCIO), this type of fellowship program is needed. The reason is that many competing activities pull us in different directions.
While there have been numerous excellent opportunities to work with NCSD on efforts such as building the National Infrastructure Protection Plan and more specifically the NIPP's IT Sector Plan, the number of groups and sub-groups that hold regular meetings can be overwhelming. Each committee holds in-person meetings, conference calls, and issues action items (such as writing assignments) for active participants. Bottom line, most state IT professionals have very busy "day jobs" that make long-term support to NCSD activities very difficult. I have seen respected state government colleagues drop off of federal-state committees due to the heavy workload or state priorities.
I think 6-month dedicated fellowships for state/local/tribal IT execs in Washington D.C. could help tremendously. Granted, it will still be difficult for states to part with their best and brightest staff for such a period of time. However, this approach can work if the program is set up properly with the right level of recognition and benefits to the state and local officials who make the commitment.
With a new adminsitration coming in, I hope this bill passes and gets implemented. This is one practical way to improve communication between the feds and the states on many cybersecurity issues and projects.
What are your thoughts?
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