H.R.2659 - Strengthening Cyber Resilience Against State-Sponsored Threats Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.2659, the Strengthening Cyber Resilience Against State-Sponsored Threats Act, aims to bolster the security of U.S. critical infrastructure against cyberattacks from state-sponsored actors, specifically those associated with the People's Republic of China (PRC). The bill mandates the establishment of an interagency task force to coordinate efforts in detecting, analyzing, and responding to these threats.
The task force, led by the Director of CISA and the Director of the FBI, will include representatives from various departments and agencies. It will be responsible for producing reports and briefings for Congress on the risks, trends, and potential impacts of PRC-sponsored cyber activities, including those attributed to Volt Typhoon.
The Act also includes provisions for information sharing, security clearances for task force members, and exemptions from the Federal Advisory Committee Act and the Paperwork Reduction Act.
Expected Effects
The bill's enactment would lead to increased collaboration and information sharing among federal agencies regarding cybersecurity threats. This would likely result in enhanced detection and mitigation capabilities against state-sponsored cyberattacks. The comprehensive reports and briefings to Congress would inform policy decisions and resource allocation related to cybersecurity.
Potential Benefits
Here are some potential benefits to the American people:
* Enhanced Protection of Critical Infrastructure: Safeguarding essential services like energy, water, and communications from cyberattacks.
* Improved National Security: Strengthening defenses against foreign adversaries seeking to disrupt or compromise U.S. systems.
* Increased Awareness: Raising awareness among critical infrastructure owners and operators about cybersecurity threats and available resources.
* Better Coordination: Fostering collaboration among government agencies to address cybersecurity challenges more effectively.
* Informed Policymaking: Providing Congress with the information needed to make informed decisions about cybersecurity policy and funding.
Potential Disadvantages
Here are some potential disadvantages or drawbacks to the American people:
* Potential for Bureaucracy: The creation of a new task force could lead to bureaucratic inefficiencies and duplication of effort.
* Privacy Concerns: Information sharing among agencies could raise concerns about data privacy and civil liberties, although the bill includes provisions for handling information securely.
* Cost: Establishing and maintaining the task force, as well as producing the required reports, will incur costs to taxpayers.
* Limited Scope: The bill focuses specifically on threats from China, potentially overlooking other sources of cyberattacks.
* Over-classification: The classified nature of many of the reports could limit public understanding and oversight of the task force's activities.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the U.S. Constitution, particularly Article I, Section 8, which grants Congress the power to provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States. The establishment of an interagency task force and the requirement for reports to Congress fall within Congress's authority to legislate on matters of national security. The bill does not appear to infringe upon any specific constitutional rights or liberties.
However, the potential for increased surveillance and data collection could raise concerns under the Fourth Amendment, which protects against unreasonable searches and seizures. The bill addresses this concern by requiring that information be handled and disseminated consistent with applicable statutes, regulations, and Executive orders.
Furthermore, the emphasis on national security aligns with the government's responsibility to protect the nation from external threats, as outlined in the Preamble's goal to "provide for the common defence."
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).