Overview
Title
To require the Under Secretary of the Science and Technology Directorate of the Department of Homeland Security to develop a Department-wide policy and process to safeguard research and development from unauthorized access to or disclosure of sensitive information in research and development acquisitions, and for other purposes.
ELI5 AI
H.R. 901 is a rule to help keep secret science information safe by making a special plan in the Department of Homeland Security to stop sneaky people from seeing or stealing it. This rule also asks for a report to make sure everyone is following safety rules properly.
Summary AI
H.R. 901 aims to protect sensitive research information within the Department of Homeland Security. It mandates the Under Secretary of the Science and Technology Directorate to create policies to prevent unauthorized access to or disclosure of sensitive information in research acquisitions. The bill requires a report from the Comptroller General evaluating compliance with national security guidelines and a congressional briefing on the development of these safeguarding policies.
Published
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AnalysisAI
General Summary of the Bill
The proposed bill, titled the "Research Security and Accountability in DHS Act," aims to enhance the protection of sensitive research and development (R&D) information within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). It mandates the development of a comprehensive policy to safeguard against unauthorized access and disclosure of such information. It requires DHS to report on its compliance with existing national guidelines on research security and brief Congress on new policy developments.
Summary of Significant Issues
The bill leaves several issues open for interpretation and potential difficulties. First, it does not specify the resources needed for establishing the department-wide policy, which could lead to budgetary challenges. Second, while it mandates a report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) on DHS compliance, it fails to outline consequences for non-compliance. Third, the term "unauthorized access" is not clearly defined, which could lead to inconsistent enforcement. Additionally, the tight deadline for briefing Congress—90 days—may not allow sufficient time for thorough preparation. Lastly, the coordination with multiple agencies might result in confusion or overlap without clear guidelines on roles and expectations.
Impact on the Public
For the general public, the bill is intended to enhance national security by ensuring that sensitive research data is protected from unauthorized access, which in today's digital age is a legitimate concern. Ensuring robust data protection measures can ultimately prevent the misuse or misappropriation of crucial information that could compromise national safety. However, if the bill is not implemented effectively due to vagueness or lack of resources, it may fall short of improving security measures, thereby providing a false sense of security.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For DHS employees and agencies involved in research, the bill means a significant shift in how research data is managed and protected. There will likely be a need for training and additional resources to meet the new security requirements. If not managed well, the implementation could lead to operational inefficiencies or resource constraints, impacting the department's overall performance.
Other stakeholders include institutions like the National Science Foundation and agencies involved in research security. The requirement for coordination with multiple bodies could lead to confusion and inefficiency if roles are not clearly defined. This might delay or complicate the establishment of effective security frameworks, which are essential for protecting sensitive information.
In conclusion, while the bill aims to bolster research security within DHS, its effectiveness depends on addressing issues related to resources, clarity, and coordination. With careful implementation, the bill could significantly enhance the protection of sensitive research data, but it must overcome these challenges to realize its full potential.
Issues
The amendment of Section 302 (subsection (a)) lacks specificity about the resources required for developing the Department-wide policy and process to safeguard research and development, which could lead to potential budgetary concerns or misallocation of funds. This financial issue may impact the implementation and efficacy of the proposed policy.
The GAO report requirement (subsection (b)) does not specify any consequences or actions to be taken if the Department of Homeland Security fails to comply with NSPM-33. The lack of accountability measures weakens oversight and may hinder compliance with necessary security protocols.
The language in paragraph (15) of subsection (a) regarding 'unauthorized access to or disclosure of sensitive information' is somewhat vague and does not define what constitutes 'unauthorized', potentially leading to varying interpretations. This legal ambiguity could result in inconsistent enforcement or application of the policy.
The requirement for a Congressional briefing within 90 days (subsection (c)) may not provide enough time for thorough development and review of the necessary policies and processes, potentially resulting in incomplete or rushed preparation. This timeline could undermine the thoroughness and effectiveness of the security measures intended to be implemented.
The provision for coordination with various bodies such as the National Science Foundation and National Science Technology Council (subsection (b)(2)(B)) might result in overlapping responsibilities and confusion without clear guidelines on roles and expectations, potentially leading to inefficiencies in implementing research security measures.
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Short title Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The first section of the bill states that the short title of the Act is the “Research Security and Accountability in DHS Act.”
2. Safeguarding sensitive research in the Department of Homeland Security Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The bill amends the Homeland Security Act to ensure that sensitive research and development information is protected from unauthorized access. It also requires the Department of Homeland Security to report on its compliance with certain guidelines related to research security and to brief Congress on the development of new policies to safeguard this information.