Overview
Title
To establish an interagency working group to ensure the security, resiliency, and integrity of undersea cables, and for other purposes.
ELI5 AI
H.R. 9766 is about getting different groups in the government to work together to make sure the internet cables under the ocean are safe and not messed with by other countries. They're going to study how to protect these cables better and tell Congress what they find out.
Summary AI
H. R. 9766, titled the "Undersea Cable Security and Protection Act," aims to establish an interagency working group, led by the Secretary of Homeland Security, to address security concerns related to undersea telecommunications cables. This group will create a report assessing risks posed by countries like China and Russia, evaluating the role of government and private sectors in protecting these cables, and suggesting improvements for cable security. Additionally, the bill calls for a detailed briefing to Congress on the findings, with strategies for enhancing cooperation and developing standards to safeguard these critical infrastructures.
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AnalysisAI
Summary of the Bill
The bill, titled the "Undersea Cable Security and Protection Act," aims to create an interagency working group to ensure the security, resiliency, and integrity of undersea cables. These cables are crucial as they carry a significant portion of global telecommunications data, linking distant nations. The group, led by the Secretary of Homeland Security, will study various threats to undersea cables, particularly from countries like China, Russia, and Iran. The group will assess current risks, roles of government and private sectors in protection efforts, and make recommendations to bolster security, possibly including designating the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as the lead federal entity for this purpose.
Summary of Significant Issues
One issue with the bill is the potentially tight timeline set for the preparation of the report and the convening of the interagency working group. Organizing such a wide-ranging collaboration among different federal departments and agencies may require more than the allocated 60 days for convening and one year for report submission. Another concern is jurisdictional conflicts, as assigning the DHS as the lead entity might encroach upon the roles of other agencies like the Federal Communications Commission and the Department of Defense, creating redundancy or conflict. The lack of specified budget or resources could lead to underestimated costs and funding issues. Furthermore, the reporting will largely be classified, which might limit public scrutiny and oversight. Lastly, the roles of the private sector within this initiative are ambiguous, risking accountability issues, while the broad directives to establish interagency and public-private coordination lack concrete implementation guidance.
Impact on the Public and Stakeholders
Broadly, this bill could enhance national security by safeguarding critical telecommunications infrastructure. Improved protection of undersea cables might reduce the risk of data breaches, service disruptions, and potential geopolitical threats, which could directly benefit consumers and businesses relying on global communications networks.
For government agencies, particularly DHS, increased responsibilities could streamline efforts to protect undersea cables, leading to more efficient resource allocation and targeted threat mitigation. However, if jurisdictional disputes arise, it could hinder effectiveness and collaboration. Other stakeholders, such as telecommunications companies, might face increased regulation and pressure to collaborate with the government, which could either enhance their operational security or burden them with additional compliance requirements.
The private sector's potential ambiguity in roles could result in inconsistent security practices and create gaps in the protection framework, although it also presents an opportunity for developing new industry standards and best practices.
Ultimately, while the bill's aim is pertinent to national and international security, several areas require further clarification and coordination to ensure its successful implementation without unnecessary redundancy or inefficiencies.
Issues
The timeline for the preparation of the report (60 days for the interagency working group to convene and one year for report submission) might be too tight, considering the complexity of the issues and coordination required among multiple agencies. (Section 2(a)(1), Section 2(b)(1))
There may be jurisdictional conflicts by designating the Department of Homeland Security as the lead federal entity, especially considering the roles of other key agencies mentioned like the Federal Communications Commission and the Department of Defense. (Section 2(a)(2), Section 2(b)(J))
There is potential for overlap between this initiative and existing measures to secure telecommunications infrastructure, which could lead to inefficient use of resources. (Section 2)
The bill does not specify a clear cost or budget for these activities, which may lead to underestimated expenses or lack of funding allocation. (Section 2)
The report is required to be classified with an option for an unclassified annex, which may limit transparency and public oversight. (Section 2(b)(3))
There is ambiguity in the roles and responsibilities of the private sector in ensuring the security and resiliency of undersea cables, which may result in lack of accountability or uneven implementation. (Section 2(b)(1)(B))
The directive to establish an interagency and public-private coordination mechanism is broad and undefined, potentially leading to challenges in implementation and accountability. (Section 2(b)(H)(i))
The bill lacks a clear process for how the recommendations will be reviewed, approved, and enacted, thus potentially delaying or impeding actionable outcomes. (Section 2(b)(H))
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 section specifies that the official name for this legislation is the “Undersea Cable Security and Protection Act.”
2. Interagency working group and report on ensuring the security, resiliency, and integrity of undersea cables Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section creates an interagency group, led by the Secretary of Homeland Security, to examine the security risks to undersea cables caused by countries like China and Russia. They will report on these risks, the roles of the U.S. government and private companies in safeguarding the cables, and provide recommendations to improve protection, including considering if the Department of Homeland Security should lead these efforts.