Overview
Title
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to provide explicit authority for the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency to work with international partners on cybersecurity, and for other purposes.
ELI5 AI
The bill wants to let important people in the U.S. government work with people from other countries to protect computers and the internet from bad things, but they won't give extra money for it, and they have to tell Congress what they are doing.
Summary AI
H.R. 9762, titled the “DHS International Cyber Partner Act of 2024,” aims to modify the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to give formal authority to the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) for partnering with international entities on cybersecurity. The bill allows for the assignment of Department personnel overseas, as well as providing cybersecurity equipment, services, and expertise to foreign partners, as long as these actions support U.S. homeland security goals. It also includes mechanisms for reporting to Congress about these international assignments and collaborations, ensuring transparency and oversight. This legislation does not authorize additional funding to implement these measures.
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AnalysisAI
Overview of the Bill
The proposed bill, titled "DHS International Cyber Partner Act of 2024," seeks to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002. Its primary aim is to grant explicit authority to the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to collaborate with international partners on cybersecurity. The bill outlines provisions for international assignments of the Department’s personnel and for offering equipment, services, technical assistance, or expertise to foreign entities in support of cybersecurity and infrastructure security, as long as these actions advance U.S. homeland security interests. Furthermore, it mandates coordination with the Secretary of State and introduces reporting requirements to Congress.
Significant Issues
The bill raises several significant issues. Firstly, it allows for international assignments and provision of support without clear metrics or criteria for success, potentially leading to inefficiencies or lack of accountability. Additionally, the bill permits assistance to be provided without cost reimbursement, raising concerns about financial management and misuse of resources. The possibility of overlapping responsibilities between the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Secretary of State adds a layer of complexity and potential for operational confusion.
The language in the bill regarding "defensive cybersecurity" is perceived as ambiguous, which may result in varied interpretations and application inconsistencies. Another critical aspect is the absence of additional funds specifically authorized for its implementation, which might limit the effectiveness of the proposed measures if current resources are inadequate.
Moreover, the process of obtaining "concurrence" from the Secretary of State lacks clarity, potentially delaying the rollout of international efforts. Finally, the Congressional reporting requirements could become overly bureaucratic and cumbersome if not streamlined, possibly impeding effective oversight and communication.
Potential Impact on the Public
The bill is designed to strengthen the United States' cybersecurity posture through international cooperation, potentially enhancing national security and public safety. By engaging with global partners, the intention is to build a more resilient cyberspace capable of withstanding and responding to threats. However, the lack of clear guidelines and metrics could lead to inefficient use of resources, ultimately diluting intended public benefits.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
Government Agencies
For agencies like the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and CISA, the bill could expand their operational scope internationally, allowing for a more comprehensive approach to securing critical infrastructure. However, absent additional funding or explicit criteria, the agencies could face challenges in managing priorities and resources effectively.
International Partners
The bill may positively impact international partners by promoting collaboration and knowledge exchange, potentially elevating cybersecurity standards worldwide. However, without clear reimbursement processes or criteria for assistance, relationships could become strained if financial disagreements arise.
U.S. Congress
For Congress, the bill introduces new oversight responsibilities. The reporting requirements, while intended to ensure transparency and accountability, might become administratively burdensome if not carefully managed.
General Public
The general public stands to benefit from enhanced cybersecurity measures that protect national interests and infrastructure. However, the bill's implementation challenges might impede the realization of these benefits if agencies are unable to efficiently manage the expanded international engagement.
In summary, while the bill holds promise for enhancing U.S. cybersecurity through international collaboration, its success hinges on addressing the outlined issues, such as clarifying processes, defining metrics, and ensuring adequate funding.
Issues
The bill authorizes international assignments and assistance (Section 2) without specifying clear metrics for success, which may lead to inefficiencies or lack of accountability, potentially affecting outcomes related to the cybersecurity and infrastructure security missions.
The provision allowing for equipment, services, and technical assistance to be provided without reimbursement (Section 104(b)(1)) lacks specific guidelines, posing a risk of wasteful spending and financial mismanagement.
There is potential for overlapping authority and responsibilities between the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Secretary of State, as noted in Sections 2(a) and 104(c), which may create confusion and inefficiencies in international cybersecurity efforts.
The bill’s language regarding 'defensive cybersecurity' (Section 104(b)(3)) is ambiguous and could lead to different interpretations by various stakeholders, affecting the scope of the cybersecurity initiatives.
The absence of additional authorized funds (Section 2(d)) for the implementation might limit the execution and effectiveness of the bill's mandates, especially if existing resources are not sufficient.
The bill does not articulate specific criteria or thresholds for determining what furthers the 'homeland security interests' (Section 104(b)(2)), allowing subjective decision-making and inconsistency in the application of international support measures.
The process for obtaining 'concurrence' from the Secretary of State (Section 104(a)(1) and (b)(1)) lacks clarity, which might delay or obstruct the timely deployment of resources and personnel internationally.
The lack of outlined accountability mechanisms for evaluating the success of international assignments or support (Section 104(b)) raises concerns about transparency and effectiveness, potentially undermining public trust.
Subsection (b)(4) regarding reimbursement of expenses lacks clarity on specific circumstances when reimbursement is appropriate, leading to potential financial disagreements.
The Congressional reporting requirements (Section 104(d)) could become bureaucratically burdensome without clear guidelines, possibly impeding efficient communication and oversight.
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 this act gives it a short title, allowing it to be officially referred to as the "DHS International Cyber Partner Act of 2024."
2. International assignment and assistance Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The bill amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to allow the Secretary of Homeland Security to assign Department personnel to international duty stations and to provide cybersecurity and infrastructure support to foreign governments or international organizations if such actions advance U.S. homeland security interests, all while requiring specific reporting and coordination with the Secretary of State.
104. International assignment and assistance Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section allows the Secretary, with the Secretary of State's agreement, to assign personnel outside the U.S. for cybersecurity and infrastructure security tasks and to provide cybersecurity support to foreign entities under certain conditions that benefit U.S. homeland security. It also sets limits on the type of support that can be offered and requires the Secretary to report to Congress on assistance provided and international assignments made.