The section introduces the "Federal Information Security Modernization Act of 2024," which focuses on enhancing cybersecurity measures for federal agencies. It outlines the contents of the Act, including amendments to existing laws and the implementation of policies to improve information security and incident transparency.

The section of the bill defines important terms related to government and cybersecurity, such as "agency," "awardee," "contractor," and "threat hunting," specifying where to find their meanings in U.S. law or providing clear definitions. It also clarifies the committees involved and describes concepts like "zero trust architecture" in simple terms.

The proposed amendments to title 44 of the United States Code focus on enhancing cybersecurity practices and data privacy protocols. Key changes include requiring agencies to appoint Chief Privacy Officers, standardizing definitions like "major incident" and "high value asset," improving incidence response and reporting procedures, and promoting the use of automated and shared cybersecurity services across federal agencies.

In this section, various terms used in the subchapter are defined, like "appropriate reporting entities," which includes leaders from Congress and several committees, and "awardee," which refers to recipients of grants or agreements from an agency. It also clarifies what constitutes a "breach" and defines terms like "contractor," "Federal information," "Federal information system," "intelligence community," "nationwide consumer reporting agency," and "vulnerability disclosure."

The section outlines the process and requirements for federal agencies to notify individuals and Congress of data breaches affecting personal information. It specifies when notifications must be made, what details should be included, circumstances for delaying notifications, and reporting obligations to Congress regarding such breaches.

This section outlines the requirements for various reports and updates to be provided to specific congressional leaders and committees when a major incident occurs involving federal information systems. It details the timelines, content, and format for these reports, along with guidelines for supplementary updates, biennial reporting, and inclusions for incidents involving breaches, ensuring consistent communication between agencies and Congress.

The section outlines requirements for U.S. federal agencies to share information about cybersecurity incidents with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, ensuring the data is detailed and helps prevent future issues. It also specifies collaboration with law enforcement and private sectors, emphasizes automated reporting, and provides exceptions for national security systems, where information is shared under stricter conditions to protect sensitive data.

Contractors and awardees working with federal agencies must promptly notify the agencies about any incidents, breaches, or security vulnerabilities related to federal information systems. They must also follow regulations and procedures for reporting, and non-compliance could result in specific actions. The information gathered can be used only for cybersecurity purposes, while incidents involving national security systems have separate reporting requirements.

In this section, the term "covered individual" refers to someone who accesses a Federal information system due to their role, such as an agency employee or contractor. It outlines the requirement for agencies to create cybersecurity incident response training, ensure consistent practices across agencies, and integrate this training into their annual programs.

The section outlines the responsibilities of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to analyze federal cybersecurity incidents and share these findings with other agencies to improve cybersecurity efforts. It states that CISA must provide annual public reports on these incidents, excluding parts that compromise national security, and allows specific incident details to be included under certain conditions. Additionally, separate reports concerning national security systems are to be submitted by the Secretary of Defense in collaboration with various intelligence and cybersecurity leaders.

The section outlines the requirement for the Director to develop guidelines on what constitutes a "major incident" related to cybersecurity for federal agencies, coordinating with the National Cyber Director. It specifies what incidents should be classified as major, the consultation process involved in such determinations, and mandates regular evaluations and updates of these guidelines to Congress.

The amendments to title 40 focus on improving security and efficiency in government technology. They include definitions of key terms, emphasize considerations for cybersecurity, and incorporate security risk assessments in technology management and proposal evaluations.

This section of the bill outlines new responsibilities and updates involving federal incident transparency. It tasks the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency with developing plans and providing briefings, updates information security laws, mandates data sharing and automation, and adjusts the Privacy Act of 1974 to improve coordination in responding to cybersecurity incidents.

The section outlines that agencies must inform private organizations or government units, known as "reporting entities," if an incident affects the sensitive information they provided to the agency. The Director must create guidance for this process within a year, ensuring timely notification and coordination with relevant agencies if needed.

The bill introduces a new policy called Federal Penetration Testing that mandates federal agencies to conduct penetration tests on their information systems to enhance cybersecurity. This policy allows specific agencies to carry out tests without consent, but requires them to notify the head of the agency 72 hours in advance; it also exempts national security systems and allows for certain authority delegations to the Secretary of Defense and the Director of National Intelligence.

The law requires government agencies to perform cybersecurity tests on their computer systems and highlights that this directive does not apply to national security systems. Additionally, it delegates authority for certain systems to the Secretary of Defense and the Director of National Intelligence.

The Federal vulnerability disclosure policies section establishes guidelines for how the public can report cybersecurity weaknesses in federal information systems. It defines key terms, sets responsibilities for different agencies, includes protections for security researchers, and outlines guidance that must be developed for these processes, all while ensuring national security is not jeopardized by public disclosures.

The purpose of this section is to establish policies that allow the public to report security vulnerabilities in federal information systems safely and efficiently. It defines key terms, outlines responsibilities for different agencies, and ensures that these policies do not compromise national security or ongoing law enforcement activities.

The section mandates that one year after the bill becomes law, the Director must update Congress on efforts to enhance agency system security using zero trust architecture. Additionally, progress reports on this implementation are required from four to ten years after the bill's enactment, and similar updates are required from the Secretary of Defense for national security systems. These reports will include details on completed and pending security tasks, with possible inclusion of classified information.

In this section of the bill, the "information system" term is defined according to existing U.S. code. It outlines steps for the Director to guide federal agencies on using artificial intelligence to enhance cybersecurity and requires both annual reports and studies to evaluate AI's effectiveness and any privacy risks associated with such technologies.

The text outlines specific cybersecurity requirements for federal agencies, such as identifying and securing critical data, implementing identity management systems, and restrictions on Internet of Things (IoT) devices to ensure compliance with security standards. It allows exceptions under certain conditions, mandates periodic evaluation, and updates related cybersecurity laws.

The proposed amendment establishes the role of a Federal Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), who will work in the Office of Management and Budget and the Office of the National Cyber Director. Appointed by the President, the CISO's duties include supporting various cybersecurity and electronic government initiatives, coordinating with the National Cyber Director, and assisting the Federal Chief Information Officer. This position emphasizes improving the cybersecurity framework across federal agencies.

The section establishes the role of a Federal Chief Information Security Officer, who is appointed by the President, and works within the Office of the Federal Chief Information Officer and the Office of the National Cyber Director. This officer supports federal cybersecurity efforts, assists with electronic government initiatives, and coordinates with the National Cyber Director as necessary.

The document outlines the renaming of the Office of Electronic Government to the Office of the Federal Chief Information Officer. It involves updates to titles, roles, and references in various sections of the United States Code to reflect this change, allowing the current Administrator to transition to the new role without reappointment.

The section outlines that nothing in the Act or its amendments allows government agencies to take unauthorized actions, infringes on constitutional rights like free speech, or violates personal privacy by improperly accessing or sharing personal data.