Cyber Policy Leadership Institute’s Fellows Explore Legislative Process and Cybersecurity Realities

BY TAYLOR SWIFT

Last week, the second session of the Cyber Policy Leadership Institute (CPLI) focused on cyber policy legislation on Capitol Hill, opportunities and challenges of investments in cybersecurity, and defending organizations and business from cyber attacks.

The second session kicked off with a presentation on the three main cybersecurity occupations: analysis, administrative, and operations. Additionally, discourse on professional development highlighted the necessity for ongoing education interest within organizations to stay ahead in the rapidly evolving field of cybersecurity. Experts, including POPVOX Foundation’s Taylor J. Swift, presented on the process of creating cyber policy laws within the Legislative branch, offering an insightful summary of the Congressional committees responsible for cyber matters and discussing the significance of the National Defense Authorization Act in the context of cybersecurity policy.

The session included active student participation, including conversations with Advocacy Blueprint’s Nicole Tisdale, around the realities of the legislative process and the ongoing opportunities and challenges of implementing long-term cybersecurity investments and training within state and local municipalities. Students also discussed the Cyber Poverty Line, a concept introduced by cybersecurity expert Wendy Nather, that represents the threshold below which organizations lack the resources necessary to effectively defend themselves against cyber threats. The concept emphasizes the disparity in cybersecurity capabilities, highlighting how under-resourced entities, including small businesses and nonprofits, struggle to achieve basic security measures, putting them at greater risk of cyber attacks.

A joint venture between Advocacy Blueprints and POPVOX Foundation, CPLI is committed to closing the representation gap within the cybersecurity policy arena. The CPLI program spans four sessions, featuring a mix of speakers, roundtable discussions, mentorship opportunities, and preparatory activities for internships in the realms of cybersecurity and public policy. The ultimate goal is to integrate CPLI Fellows into the cyber policy sector, equipping them for internships and career opportunities in cyber policy. Read more about the first session here and visit our program page here.