H.R. 8215 would establish a program to improve cybersecurity and digital literacy among veterans. Under the bill, the Department of Veterans Affairs would make grants to nonprofit organizations and community-based groups that would provide veterans with instructional materials and training courses. Veterans participating in the program would learn how to safely use computers and mobile phones with an awareness of cybersecurity risks and develop media literacy for using online resources.
The bill would authorize appropriations of $20 million in 2023, 2025, and 2027. Using historical spendout rates for similar programs, CBO estimates that awarding cybersecurity grants would cost $52 million over the 2022-2027 period; such spending would be subject to appropriation of the specified amounts.
