Committee Considers Cybersecurity R&D and Networking and Information Technology R&D Bills
(Washington, DC) – Today, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held a markup of H.R. 756, the Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2013, and H.R. 967, the Advancing America’s Networking and Information Technology Research and Development Act of 2013.
H.R. 756 would, among other things, require federal agencies to create a strategic plan guiding the overall direction of federal cybersecurity research and development (R&D); reauthorize cybersecurity research at the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST); authorize scholarships for students in the cybersecurity field in exchange for federal government service; require NIST to coordinate an interagency cybersecurity awareness and education program; and require the creation of a university-industry task force to increase collaboration between the public and private sectors on cybersecurity R&D. The bill is identical to the Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2012 which passed the House by a vote of 395-10 and similar to the 2010 bill which passed the House by a vote of 422-5. Neither bill was taken up by the Senate.
Ranking Member of the Research Subcommittee Dan Lipinski (D-IL) said in his opening statement,
“As I have said before, when I began working on this bill four years ago I had no doubt that our use of the Internet and other communication networks would continue to grow and evolve, and that threats from individual hackers, criminal syndicates, and even other governments would grow and evolve too. I probably underestimated just how much that would prove to be true. The Director of National Intelligence this week said the danger of cyber-attacks and cyber-espionage on crucial infrastructure tops the list of global threats. I believe that we face the possibility of a cyber “Pearl Harbor” that could destroy America’s military and economic security. We have already seen the loss of countless jobs through cyber espionage and we face – and thankfully, so far, we have repelled – much worse attacks every day. It is now more important than ever that we get this legislation across the finish line and onto the President’s desk.”
Democratic Amendments offered
Rep. Ami Bera (D-CA) offered an amendment to ensure that the Networking and Information Technology Research and Development Program (NITRD) will help recruit and prepare veterans for the federal cybersecurity workforce.
Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL) offered an amendment to include community colleges as institutions of higher education eligible to receive Scholarship for Service (SFS) grants.
Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-WA) offered an amendment to ensure that cybersecurity courses and degree programs being developed under the SFS program are evaluated for effectiveness. The amendment also authorizes NSF to support activities that allow for the establishment of public-private partnerships to provide students with research experiences addressing real-world cybersecurity programs as part of their degree program.
Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL) offered an amendment to ensure that the SFS program actively recruits female participants.
Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL) offered an amendment to require NIST to carry out research associated with improving the security and integrity of the information technology supply chain.
Rep. Frederica Wilson (D-FL) – offered an amendment to require NSF and NIST to support research activities that will help develop a scientific foundation in the field of cybersecurity.
All of these amendments passed by voice vote.
In addition, Rep. Scott Peters (D-CA) offered and withdrew an amendment requiring NIST to establish a public-private partnership to develop a cybersecurity framework for critical infrastructure.
H.R. 756 passed the Committee by voice vote and was reported favorably out of Committee.
H.R. 967 reauthorizes the Networking and Information Technology Research and Development (NITRD) program. NITRD is a multi-agency research initiative designed to ensure continued U.S. leadership in computing systems, advanced networking, software, and other information technologies. The program has developed the computing and networking infrastructure needed to support leading edge research and to drive technology forward for a range of commercial applications that have the potential to benefit society broadly. NIT influences a multitude of sectors such as national security, healthcare, manufacturing, and communications among others.
Ranking Member of the Full Committee Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) said in her opening statement, “Advances in networking and information technology, or NIT, are a key driver of our economy, increasing productivity in existing industries and opening the door for the formation of new ones. Small businesses use NIT to connect to a wider consumer base, allowing them to grow. The military uses NIT to improve intelligence gathering and sharing as well as to support many of its worldwide operations. NIT is improving health care by creating better treatment options through electronic health recordkeeping, advanced surgical tools, and the facilitation of medical research. And of course, internet companies such as Google and Facebook are now worth billions of dollars and show how quickly NIT R&D can translate into real world products. NIT has truly revolutionized our modern way of life. I want to thank Mrs. Lummis for re-introducing our bill once again and I am happy to again be an original cosponsor of this measure.”
Democratic Amendments offered
Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) offered an amendment that updates language that promotes public-private partnerships in the area of cyberphysical systems research.
Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL) – offered an amendment to ensure the NITRD program supports research and other activities that improve the reliability and resilience of computing and networking systems.
Both of these amendments passed by voice vote.
H.R. 967 passed the Committee by voice vote and was reported favorably out of Committee.
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