The first section of the "Federal Information Security Modernization Act of 2023" outlines the official short title of the law and provides a detailed table of contents, listing various sections that address amendments to existing laws, introduce new cybersecurity measures, and outline responsibilities for federal agencies to enhance information security and transparency.

The section defines several terms used in the Act, including "agency," "appropriately congressional committees," "awardee," "contractor," "director," "federal information system," "incident," "national security system," "penetration test," "threat hunting," and "zero trust architecture," each referring to specific meanings or sections of the United States Code or publications by the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

The amendments to title 44 aim to enhance federal cybersecurity by establishing responsibilities for various agencies, promoting the use of secure automated processes, and reinforcing the roles of Chief Privacy Officers. They also introduce new definitions related to cybersecurity, require timely notifications of breaches, and emphasize collaboration between federal agencies to safeguard sensitive information and respond effectively to cybersecurity incidents.

In this section of the bill, several definitions related to cybersecurity and governmental processes are provided. It outlines key terms like "appropriate reporting entities," "awardee," "breach," "contractor," "Federal information," "Federal information system," "intelligence community," "nationwide consumer reporting agency," and "vulnerability disclosure," giving clear descriptions of each role or concept.

The section outlines the process for notifying individuals when their personal information may be affected by a data breach involving a federal agency. It specifies when and how notifications should be sent, what information must be included, the potential for delaying notifications for reasons like national security, and the requirements for reporting breaches to Congress.

This section outlines the procedures for federal agencies to report major incidents, which can affect national security, to Congress. It requires prompt notifications and updates to specified congressional leaders and committees, including details on how the incident happened, potential impacts, and actions taken, while ensuring sensitive information is properly handled and recommending consistent reporting formats.

The section requires federal agencies to share information about cybersecurity incidents with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and other relevant bodies, in order to improve incident response and prevent future threats. It also outlines the specific details that must be included in these reports and mandates using automated methods for information sharing, while exempting national security systems from some requirements to ensure sensitive data is protected.

Contractors and awardees working for government agencies must report security incidents or vulnerabilities related to Federal information systems to the appropriate agency and possibly the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. They have specific timelines for reporting, and guidance will be issued on what vulnerabilities need reporting. There are regulations to be implemented to enforce these reporting requirements, with exemptions for incidents on national security systems.

The section outlines the requirements for cybersecurity training of individuals who access federal information systems, defining these "covered individuals" as federal employees, contractors, and others. It mandates developing best practices for incident response and specifies training obligations for agencies, including integrating cybersecurity training into existing annual programs.

The section requires the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency to analyze federal cybersecurity incidents and share insights to improve risk understanding and security efforts across agencies. It mandates annual reports on these incidents, which are often made public unless they contain sensitive national security information, and also includes guidelines on handling information related to national security systems.

The section requires the Director, along with the National Cyber Director, to create guidelines defining what constitutes a "major incident" within a year, focusing on incidents that could harm U.S. national security, disrupt critical services, or expose sensitive information. The guidelines allow the National Cyber Director to declare a major incident, especially if it affects multiple agencies due to common vulnerabilities or threats, and specify that simply discovering a vulnerability doesn't count as a major incident unless it affects privacy or security. The Director must evaluate and update these guidelines regularly and report to Congress on changes and their reasoning.

The section outlines amendments to various parts of title 40 in the U.S. Code, focusing on improving the security of government technology systems. It requires agencies to consider cybersecurity in their proposals, includes new definitions for terms like "high value asset," and updates responsibilities related to cybersecurity risk management involving the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.

The section outlines responsibilities for enhancing federal incident transparency, requiring the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency to develop a plan and brief Congress on the plan within specific timelines. It also tasks the Office of Management and Budget with updating guidance on incident data sharing and contractor responsibilities, and modifies the Privacy Act of 1974 for inter-agency data sharing related to incident response.

The section requires the Director to give updated guidelines within a year for agencies on two things: continuously assessing system risks and securely sharing the status of remedial actions for important assets using automated, easily readable data. Agencies must also work with their inspector generals to ensure everyone understands these policies.

The section outlines the requirements for government agencies to notify certain private or government organizations, known as "reporting entities," about incidents that might affect their sensitive information. The Director must create guidance within a year of the act being passed, ensuring agencies inform affected entities if there's a substantial impact on confidentiality or integrity of their submitted information or related systems.

The section requires the Director to brief relevant congressional committees on how government agencies are complying with the No TikTok on Government Devices Act within 180 days. The Director must also provide a list of agency exceptions to this act, with a possible classified annex, and offer a follow-up briefing after one year about any non-compliant agencies and update the exception list as needed.

The text outlines a requirement for the Director to update guidelines for government agencies on how to handle and share logging data within two years. Additionally, the Secretary of Defense must create guidance for National Security Systems that meets or exceeds these standards.

The section mandates that within 120 days of the bill's enactment, the Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) must assign at least one cybersecurity professional as a liaison to each agency's Chief Information Security Officer. These liaisons must be well-versed in cybersecurity threats, risk assessments, and federal initiatives, and they are to assist in incident response, offer advice, and coordinate support without duplicating efforts. Liaisons cannot be contractors but may serve multiple agencies, and this directive does not limit CISA's support role.

The bill introduces a new section to the United States Code requiring federal agencies to carry out penetration testing on their information systems to enhance cybersecurity, with guidance provided by relevant authorities like the Director of Cybersecurity. It permits the Secretary of Homeland Security to conduct such testing without agency consent, after notifying the agency head, while certain systems related to national security are exempt from this requirement.

The section mandates that federal agencies perform cybersecurity tests on their information systems and provides guidelines on how to use the results to enhance security. It excludes systems related to national security and delegates authority to the Secretary of Defense and Director of National Intelligence for certain systems.

The section establishes federal policies for vulnerability disclosure, aiming to allow the public to report vulnerabilities in federal systems. It outlines the roles of various agencies, requirements for developing policies, and exemptions to ensure national security is not compromised.

The section establishes Federal policies for vulnerability disclosures, aiming to facilitate communication between the public and agencies about security issues in government information systems. It directs agencies to implement a public vulnerability disclosure policy, sets guidelines for security researchers to report vulnerabilities without facing legal action, and clarifies responsibilities for various agencies, including avoiding the disclosure of sensitive information that could affect national security or law enforcement.

The section outlines requirements for government agencies to adopt a "zero trust" approach to cybersecurity, which assumes breaches could happen at any time and requires strict internal defenses. It mandates regular briefings and progress reports over a ten-year period to monitor how agencies are improving security, minimizing access privileges, and preventing cyber incidents, with specific updates for systems related to national security.

In this section, the bill outlines the role of artificial intelligence in enhancing the cybersecurity of government information systems. It requires guidance from the Director on its use, mandates annual reports to Congress for five years, and tasks the Comptroller General with reporting on potential privacy risks and conducting a study on automation in federal cybersecurity.

The section extends the duration of the chief data officer council by amending an existing rule, changing the expiration date from a specific event-based timeline to December 31, 2031.

The section amends part of United States Code to include a requirement for a dashboard displaying open information security recommendations, based on independent evaluations. It clarifies that this section does not mandate the publication of information that is exempt from disclosure under certain laws.

The section requires the Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency to brief certain congressional committees about the capabilities and future plans for centralized security operations that can support multiple agencies. Additionally, the Comptroller General must report on best practices and provide recommendations to improve the effectiveness of these security operations centers within 540 days.

The section outlines new federal cybersecurity requirements that mandate agencies to protect sensitive data by implementing identity verification systems and forbids using certain Internet of things devices if they fail cybersecurity standards. Exceptions exist for the Department of Defense and intelligence agencies, and certifications exempting agencies from these requirements will last for four years, with possibilities for renewal.

The bill establishes a Federal Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) who will serve within the Office of Management and Budget and the Office of the National Cyber Director. This officer, appointed by the President, will work alongside the Federal Chief Information Officer to oversee and implement federal cybersecurity initiatives and coordinate with the National Cyber Director on relevant projects.

The section establishes the role of a Federal Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), who is appointed by the President and will serve in specific government offices. The CISO will help with federal cybersecurity initiatives and assist in overseeing electronic government projects, working closely with other cybersecurity officials.

The section of the bill renames the "Office of Electronic Government" to the "Office of the Federal Chief Information Officer" and redesignates the title of the head from "Administrator" to "Federal Chief Information Officer" across various sections of the U.S. Code. It ensures that current references and roles are updated accordingly, allowing the incumbent Administrator to continue serving without needing a new appointment.

The section states that the Act does not allow government agencies to take unauthorized actions beyond what the law permits, and it ensures that the Act cannot be used to violate constitutional rights, such as free speech or privacy.

The Cybersecurity Act of 2023 provides an outline of its contents, including amendments to federal information security laws, measures to improve cybersecurity transparency, and guidance for agencies. The Act also addresses rural hospital cybersecurity, aiming to enhance workforce development and provide instructional resources without allocating extra funds.

The section identifies the official name of the title as the "Federal Information Security Modernization Act of 2023."

The section provides definitions for various terms used throughout the bill, such as "agency," "appropriate congressional committees," "contractor," and "zero trust architecture." These definitions clarify what is meant by each term based on references to other legal texts or specified institutions like the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

The amendments to title 44 of the United States Code focus on enhancing information security and privacy policies for federal agencies. They establish more rigorous responsibilities for assessing cybersecurity risks, create roles like the Chief Privacy Officer, and implement guidelines to improve incident reporting, information sharing, and responses to cybersecurity threats and breaches.

In this section of the bill, several definitions related to cybersecurity and governmental processes are provided. It outlines key terms like "appropriate reporting entities," "awardee," "breach," "contractor," "Federal information," "Federal information system," "intelligence community," "nationwide consumer reporting agency," and "vulnerability disclosure," giving clear descriptions of each role or concept.

The section outlines the process for notifying individuals when their personal information may be affected by a data breach involving a federal agency. It specifies when and how notifications should be sent, what information must be included, the potential for delaying notifications for reasons like national security, and the requirements for reporting breaches to Congress.

This section outlines the procedures for federal agencies to report major incidents, which can affect national security, to Congress. It requires prompt notifications and updates to specified congressional leaders and committees, including details on how the incident happened, potential impacts, and actions taken, while ensuring sensitive information is properly handled and recommending consistent reporting formats.

The section requires federal agencies to share information about cybersecurity incidents with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and other relevant bodies, in order to improve incident response and prevent future threats. It also outlines the specific details that must be included in these reports and mandates using automated methods for information sharing, while exempting national security systems from some requirements to ensure sensitive data is protected.

Contractors and awardees working for government agencies must report security incidents or vulnerabilities related to Federal information systems to the appropriate agency and possibly the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. They have specific timelines for reporting, and guidance will be issued on what vulnerabilities need reporting. There are regulations to be implemented to enforce these reporting requirements, with exemptions for incidents on national security systems.

The section outlines the requirements for cybersecurity training of individuals who access federal information systems, defining these "covered individuals" as federal employees, contractors, and others. It mandates developing best practices for incident response and specifies training obligations for agencies, including integrating cybersecurity training into existing annual programs.

The section requires the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency to analyze federal cybersecurity incidents and share insights to improve risk understanding and security efforts across agencies. It mandates annual reports on these incidents, which are often made public unless they contain sensitive national security information, and also includes guidelines on handling information related to national security systems.

The section requires the Director, along with the National Cyber Director, to create guidelines defining what constitutes a "major incident" within a year, focusing on incidents that could harm U.S. national security, disrupt critical services, or expose sensitive information. The guidelines allow the National Cyber Director to declare a major incident, especially if it affects multiple agencies due to common vulnerabilities or threats, and specify that simply discovering a vulnerability doesn't count as a major incident unless it affects privacy or security. The Director must evaluate and update these guidelines regularly and report to Congress on changes and their reasoning.

The amendments to subtitle III of title 40 propose changes to improve government technology management, emphasizing enhanced cybersecurity for high value assets and efficient use of resources. This includes revising definitions, incorporating cybersecurity considerations, evaluating proposals against security criteria, and refining roles for agencies like the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.

The section outlines the responsibilities of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and the Office of Management and Budget to enhance transparency in handling federal incidents. It includes developing plans and guidance for data sharing and automation, updating regulations, and amending the Privacy Act of 1974 to facilitate improved incident response and reporting.

The section requires that within one year, the Director must issue guidance to agencies for ongoing risk assessments and secure methods for reporting the status of important assets using automated tools. It also requires agency heads to work with their inspectors general to ensure clear understanding of policies for evaluations.

The section outlines that government agencies must notify private or government organizations, known as "reporting entities," if an incident could greatly impact the confidentiality or integrity of sensitive information they submitted. Within a year of the Act's passing, the Director must create guidelines for agencies to follow in notifying these entities and potentially coordinating with certain risk management agencies.

The section mandates that the Director must brief the appropriate congressional committees about agencies' compliance with the No TikTok on Government Devices Act within 180 days, including any exceptions. A follow-up briefing is required one year later for agencies that were not compliant, along with an updated list of exceptions.

The text outlines a requirement for the Director, in consultation with other cybersecurity officials, to update logging and data sharing guidance for agencies within two years. Additionally, the Secretary of Defense must create similar or stricter guidelines for National Security Systems.

The section requires the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to assign cybersecurity experts to act as liaisons with government agencies. These liaisons will assist in cybersecurity matters, help with incident response, and ensure there is no overlap with other federal cybersecurity efforts.

The section of the bill introduces a new rule, 3559A, to U.S. law where federal agencies must perform penetration testing on their information systems with guidance from the Director and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency to enhance cybersecurity efforts. This rule does not apply to national security systems, and the Secretary of Homeland Security is authorized to conduct such testing without consent from agencies, provided they notify the agency heads.

The section outlines that the Director, in collaboration with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, must provide guidance for federal agencies to conduct penetration tests on their information systems, emphasizing high value assets, and develop policies for improving cybersecurity. It exempts national security systems from this guidance and delegates certain authorities to the Secretary of Defense and the Director of National Intelligence.

The text outlines the establishment of Federal Vulnerability Disclosure Policies to allow the public to report security weaknesses in government information systems. It also details the roles and responsibilities of various agencies, including the Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, in facilitating this process and ensuring that vulnerability information is handled carefully and efficiently, with a focus on maintaining national security.

The section establishes Federal policies for vulnerability disclosures, aiming to facilitate communication between the public and agencies about security issues in government information systems. It directs agencies to implement a public vulnerability disclosure policy, sets guidelines for security researchers to report vulnerabilities without facing legal action, and clarifies responsibilities for various agencies, including avoiding the disclosure of sensitive information that could affect national security or law enforcement.

The section of the bill requires the Director and the Secretary of Defense to provide briefings and progress reports to various congressional committees about the implementation of a "zero trust architecture" in both agency systems and national security systems. This approach focuses on assuming systems are compromised and increasing security measures accordingly, with updates continuing for a period of up to ten years after the enactment of the law.

In this section, the Director is tasked with providing guidance on using artificial intelligence to improve the cybersecurity of information systems. The Comptroller General is also required to report on the privacy risks and cybersecurity issues related to the federal use of AI, and to study how automation, including AI, is used for cybersecurity across the federal government.

The bill changes the timeframe for the expiration of the Chief Data Officer Council, so it will now end on December 31, 2031, instead of ending two years after a specific report is submitted to Congress.

The section amends existing law to require a dashboard that displays open information security recommendations according to evaluations required by another law. It clarifies that it doesn't mandate publishing any information that is exempt from disclosure under a specific code.

The section requires the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency to brief Congress on the current and future capabilities of shared security operations centers for federal agencies, including their integration with threat hunting and vulnerability management. Additionally, the Government Accountability Office must report on best practices and provide recommendations for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of these operations centers.

This section of the bill updates cybersecurity requirements for federal agencies by making several changes, such as requiring agencies to secure sensitive data with access controls and encryption, implementing single sign-on systems, and prohibiting the use of certain Internet of Things (IoT) devices unless they meet security standards. It also establishes procedures for exemptions and certifications, which expire in four years, and outlines specific exceptions for the Department of Defense and national security systems.

The section establishes the position of a Federal Chief Information Security Officer, who will work in both the Office of the Federal Chief Information Officer and the Office of the National Cyber Director, and will be appointed by the President. This person will assist in overseeing federal cybersecurity efforts, coordinate with relevant offices, and the current officer can continue in the role without a new appointment after the law is enacted.

The section establishes the role of a Federal Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), who is appointed by the President and will serve in specific government offices. The CISO will help with federal cybersecurity initiatives and assist in overseeing electronic government projects, working closely with other cybersecurity officials.

The section of the bill renames the "Office of Electronic Government" to the "Office of the Federal Chief Information Officer" across various sections of the United States Code. It updates the titles and references associated with the office's leader from "Administrator" to "Federal Chief Information Officer," ensuring alignment with the new designation.

The section clarifies that nothing in the title or its amendments allows an agency to take unauthorized actions, violate constitutional rights such as free speech and privacy, or permit unauthorized access to personal data.

The section gives the official name of this title as the “Rural Hospital Cybersecurity Enhancement Act.”

This section of the bill provides definitions for terms used in the document, including what is meant by "agency," "appropriate committees of Congress," "Director," "geographic division," "rural hospital," and "Secretary." For example, "agency" is defined by existing law, "appropriate committees of Congress" refers to specific committees in the Senate and House, and a "rural hospital" is a healthcare facility in a non-urban area offering various healthcare services.

The section requires the Secretary to develop a plan for increasing the number of cybersecurity professionals in rural hospitals, in collaboration with various agencies and healthcare providers. This plan will focus on partnerships, education, and training, and the Secretary must report progress annually to Congress.

The bill requires the Director to provide instructional materials for rural hospitals to help train their staff on basic cybersecurity practices. Within a year of the bill's enactment, this includes collaborating with experts, adapting or creating materials, and promoting these resources through an awareness campaign.

The section states that no extra money will be allowed to be allocated for the activities under this title.