Cybersecurity Skills Integration Act

The Cybersecurity Skills Integration Act aims to improve the cybersecurity competencies of the critical infrastructure workforce, particularly operators of critical infrastructure technology. It directs the Secretary of Education to establish a pilot program within one year to award competitive grants. These grants will support the development or integration of cybersecurity education into postsecondary career and technical education programs, preparing individuals for critical infrastructure sector workforce needs. Grants will be awarded to eligible partnerships , which must include a postsecondary educational institution and at least two critical infrastructure employers. The Secretary will consult with other federal agencies, including the Secretaries of Labor and Homeland Security, to identify priority workforce needs. Applications must detail program alignment with the NICE Cybersecurity Workforce Framework , provision of work-based learning, and pathways to recognized postsecondary credentials and employment, with grants capped at $500,000 annually. Programs must also ensure annual curriculum updates to address evolving cybersecurity threats, promote diversity, and demonstrate sustainability beyond the grant period. The Secretary must ensure regional diversity among grant recipients, and annual reporting requirements cover fund usage, student credentials, curriculum updates, and participant employment rates in targeted critical infrastructure sectors. Congress has authorized $10,000,000 for appropriations to implement this Act, which defines "cybersecurity education" to encompass critical infrastructure cyber defense, industrial control system engineering, and physical/environmental safety.