Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

Us Congress House Bill HB280

Introduced
1/11/23  
Refer
1/11/23  

Caption

Cyber Vulnerability Disclosure Reporting Act This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security to submit a report describing the policies and procedures developed to coordinate the disclosure of cyber vulnerabilities. The report shall describe instances when these policies and procedures were used to disclose cyber vulnerabilities in the previous year. Further, the report shall mention the degree to which the disclosed information was acted upon by stakeholders.

Impact

This legislation is intended to strengthen national cybersecurity efforts by ensuring that there are clear procedures in place for reporting cyber vulnerabilities. Stakeholders, including federal entities and private sector operators, would benefit from a structured approach to vulnerability management that encourages timely disclosures. Furthermore, by systematically documenting past disclosures and responses, the bill seeks to establish a benchmark for improved practices in addressing cybersecurity threats.

Summary

House Bill 280, titled the Cyber Vulnerability Disclosure Reporting Act, aims to enhance the accountability and transparency of cyber vulnerability disclosures within critical infrastructure sectors. The bill mandates that the Secretary of Homeland Security provide a comprehensive report detailing the policies and procedures created for coordinating such disclosures. It emphasizes the importance of effective reporting mechanisms to ensure stakeholders are informed and can take appropriate actions to mitigate vulnerabilities.

Contention

While the bill generally receives bipartisan support for its intentions, concerns have been raised regarding the implementation of its provisions and the potential burden it might impose on the Department of Homeland Security. Some lawmakers express apprehension that overly stringent reporting requirements could slow response times and complicate existing protocols. Additionally, ensuring that disclosed information is acted upon effectively poses another challenge that the bill aims to address, underlining the need for collaboration between various stakeholders in the cybersecurity landscape.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

US HB285

Cybersecurity Vulnerability Remediation Act This bill authorizes the Department of Homeland Security to take certain actions with the goal of countering cybersecurity vulnerabilities. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency must report on its activities to coordinate disclosures of cybersecurity vulnerabilities. The report must address, among other topics, relevant policies and procedures; the degree to which disclosed information is acted upon by industry and other stakeholders; and the preservation of privacy and civil liberties when collecting, using, and sharing vulnerability disclosures. The National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center may disseminate protocols to counter cybersecurity vulnerabilities to information systems and industrial control systems, including in circumstances in which such vulnerabilities exist because software or hardware is no longer supported by a vendor. The Science and Technology Directorate may establish a competition to develop remedies for cybersecurity vulnerabilities.

US HB498

9-8-8 Lifeline Cybersecurity Responsibility Act This bill requires the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to undertake efforts to protect the 9-8-8 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline from cybersecurity threats. (The lifeline is a three-digit number that connects callers in suicidal crisis or mental health distress to a national network of crisis centers.) The bill also expands related reporting requirements. Specifically, the network administrator for the lifeline must report identified cybersecurity incidents and vulnerabilities to SAMHSA, and the Government Accountability Office must conduct a study that evaluates cybersecurity risks and vulnerabilities associated with the lifeline and report the findings to Congress.

US HB872

Federal Contractor Cybersecurity Vulnerability Reduction Act of 2025This bill requires revisions to acquisition regulations related to information systems vulnerabilities for certain federal contractors. The revisions apply to contractors whose contract is at or above the simplified acquisition threshold ($250,000 in most cases) or that use, operate, manage, or maintain a federal information system on behalf of an agency. Under the bill, the Office of Management and Budget must review the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and recommend updated contract requirements and language for contractor vulnerability disclosure programs. (Such programs establish processes for identifying, reporting, and mitigating information system vulnerabilities discovered by security researchers, software developers, and others.) The recommendations must include requirements to ensure that such contractors implement vulnerability disclosure policies consistent with guidelines from the National Institute of Standards and Technology. The Federal Acquisition Regulation Council must review these recommendations and update the FAR as necessary to incorporate requirements for such contractors to receive information about potential security vulnerabilities in contractor information systems used in performance of contract.The Department of Defense (DOD) must conduct a similar review and update of regulations with respect to the DOD Supplement to the FAR.

US SB885

Department of Homeland Security Civilian Cybersecurity Reserve Act

US HB276

DHS Cybersecurity On-the-Job Training and Employment Apprentice Program Act This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish a DHS Cybersecurity On-the-Job Training and Employment Apprentice Program to identify and train DHS employees for cybersecurity work. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency within DHS must lead the program. Among other things, the agency must (1) track the status of cybersecurity positions at DHS, (2) develop a program curriculum, and (3) recruit DHS employees for the program.

US HB278

Cyber Defense National Guard Act This bill requires the Office of the Director of National Intelligence to report to Congress regarding the feasibility of establishing a Cyber Defense National Guard. The report shall address topics including (1) the cost of creating a Cyber Defense National Guard, (2) the number of persons needed to defend critical U.S. infrastructure from a cyberattack, (3) the sources of potential members of the Cyber Defense National Guard, and (4) which federal government elements would be best equipped to train and manage the Cyber Defense National Guard.

US HB5255

Federal Cybersecurity Vulnerability Reduction Act of 2023

US HB2291

GARD Act Gift Accountability, Reporting, and Disclosures Act

US SB1191

A bill to direct the Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency to establish a K-12 Cybersecurity Technology Improvement Program, and for other purposes.

US HB10040

GARD Act Gift Accountability, Reporting, and Disclosures Act

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.