Information sharing structure and processes

The second section 226 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 148; relating to the National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center) is amended— (1)in subsection (c)— (A)in paragraph (1)— (i)by striking a Federal civilian interface and inserting the lead Federal civilian interface; and (ii)by striking cybersecurity risks, and inserting cyber threat indicators, defensive measures, cybersecurity risks,; (B)in paragraph (3), by striking cybersecurity risks and inserting cyber threat indicators, defensive measures, cybersecurity risks,; (C)in paragraph (5)(A), by striking cybersecurity risks and inserting cyber threat indicators, defensive measures, cybersecurity risks,; (D)in paragraph (6)— (i)by striking cybersecurity risks and inserting cyber threat indicators, defensive measures, cybersecurity risks,; and (ii)by striking and at the end; (E)in paragraph (7)— (i)in subparagraph (A), by striking and at the end; (ii)in subparagraph (B), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and (iii)by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

(C)sharing cyber threat indicators and defensive measures;

; and

(F)by adding at the end the following new paragraphs

(8)engaging with international partners, in consultation with other appropriate agencies, to— (A)collaborate on cyber threat indicators, defensive measures, and information related to cybersecurity risks and incidents; and (B)enhance the security and resilience of global cybersecurity; (9)sharing cyber threat indicators, defensive measures, and other information related to cybersecurity risks and incidents with Federal and non-Federal entities, including across sectors of critical infrastructure and with State and major urban area fusion centers, as appropriate; (10)promptly notifying the Secretary and the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate of any significant violations of the policies and procedures specified in subsection (i)(6)(A); (11)promptly notifying non-Federal entities that have shared cyber threat indicators or defensive measures that are known or determined to be in error or in contravention of the requirements of this section; and (12)participating, as appropriate, in exercises run by the Department’s National Exercise Program.

;

(2)in subsection (d)— (A)in subparagraph (D), by striking and at the end; (B)by redesignating subparagraph (E) as subparagraph (J); and (C)by inserting after subparagraph (D) the following new subparagraphs:

(E)an entity that collaborates with State and local governments on cybersecurity risks and incidents, and has entered into a voluntary information sharing relationship with the Center; (F)a United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team that coordinates information related to cybersecurity risks and incidents, proactively and collaboratively addresses cybersecurity risks and incidents to the United States, collaboratively responds to cybersecurity risks and incidents, provides technical assistance, upon request, to information system owners and operators, and shares cyber threat indicators, defensive measures, analysis, or information related to cybersecurity risks and incidents in a timely manner; (G)the Industrial Control System Cyber Emergency Response Team that— (i)coordinates with industrial control systems owners and operators; (ii)provides training, upon request, to Federal entities and non-Federal entities on industrial control systems cybersecurity; (iii)collaboratively addresses cybersecurity risks and incidents to industrial control systems; (iv)provides technical assistance, upon request, to Federal entities and non-Federal entities relating to industrial control systems cybersecurity; and (v)shares cyber threat indicators, defensive measures, or information related to cybersecurity risks and incidents of industrial control systems in a timely fashion; (H)a National Coordinating Center for Communications that coordinates the protection, response, and recovery of emergency communications; (I)an entity that coordinates with small and medium-sized businesses; and

;

(3)in subsection (e)— (A)in paragraph (1)— (i)in subparagraph (A), by inserting cyber threat indicators, defensive measures, and before information; (ii)in subparagraph (B), by inserting cyber threat indicators, defensive measures, and before information; (iii)in subparagraph (F), by striking cybersecurity risks and inserting cyber threat indicators, defensive measures, cybersecurity risks,; (iv)in subparagraph (F), by striking and at the end; (v)in subparagraph (G), by striking cybersecurity risks and inserting cyber threat indicators, defensive measures, cybersecurity risks,; and (vi)by adding at the end the following:

(H)the Center ensures that it shares information relating to cybersecurity risks and incidents with small and medium-sized businesses, as appropriate; and (I)the Center designates an agency contact for non-Federal entities;

;

(B)in paragraph (2)— (i)by striking cybersecurity risks and inserting cyber threat indicators, defensive measures, cybersecurity risks,; and (ii)by inserting or disclosure before the semicolon at the end; and (C)in paragraph (3), by inserting before the period at the end the following: , including by working with the Chief Privacy Officer appointed under section 222 to ensure that the Center follows the policies and procedures specified in subsection (i)(6)(A); and (4)by adding at the end the following new subsections:

(g)

Rapid automated sharing

(1)

In general

The Under Secretary for Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection, in coordination with industry and other stakeholders, shall develop capabilities making use of existing information technology industry standards and best practices, as appropriate, that support and rapidly advance the development, adoption, and implementation of automated mechanisms for the timely sharing of cyber threat indicators and defensive measures to and from the Center and with each Federal agency designated as the Sector Specific Agency for each critical infrastructure sector in accordance with subsection (h). (2)

Biannual report

The Under Secretary for Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a biannual report on the status and progress of the development of the capability described in paragraph (1). Such reports shall be required until such capability is fully implemented. (h)

Sector Specific Agencies

The Secretary, in collaboration with the relevant critical infrastructure sector and the heads of other appropriate Federal agencies, shall recognize the Federal agency designated as of March 25, 2015, as the Sector Specific Agency for each critical infrastructure sector designated in the Department’s National Infrastructure Protection Plan. If the designated Sector Specific Agency for a particular critical infrastructure sector is the Department, for purposes of this section, the Secretary is deemed to be the head of such Sector Specific Agency and shall carry out this section. The Secretary, in coordination with the heads of each such Sector Specific Agency, shall— (1)support the security and resilience actives of the relevant critical infrastructure sector in accordance with this section; (2)provide institutional knowledge, specialized expertise, and technical assistance upon request to the relevant critical infrastructure sector; and (3)support the timely sharing of cyber threat indicators and defensive measures with the relevant critical infrastructure sector with the Center in accordance with this section. (i)

Voluntary information sharing procedures

(1)

Procedures

(A)

In general

The Center may enter into a voluntary information sharing relationship with any consenting non-Federal entity for the sharing of cyber threat indicators and defensive measures for cybersecurity purposes in accordance with this section. Nothing in this section may be construed to require any non-Federal entity to enter into any such information sharing relationship with the Center or any other entity. The Center may terminate a voluntary information sharing relationship under this subsection if the Center determines that the non-Federal entity with which the Center has entered into such a relationship has, after repeated notice, repeatedly violated the terms of this subsection. (B)

National security

The Secretary may decline to enter into a voluntary information sharing relationship under this subsection if the Secretary determines that such is appropriate for national security. (2)

Voluntary information sharing relationships

A voluntary information sharing relationship under this subsection may be characterized as an agreement described in this paragraph. (A)

Standard agreement

For the use of a non-Federal entity, the Center shall make available a standard agreement, consistent with this section, on the Department’s website. (B)

Negotiated agreement

At the request of a non-Federal entity, and if determined appropriate by the Center, the Department shall negotiate a non-standard agreement, consistent with this section. (C)

Existing agreements

An agreement between the Center and a non-Federal entity that is entered into before the date of the enactment of this section, or such an agreement that is in effect before such date, shall be deemed in compliance with the requirements of this subsection, notwithstanding any other provision or requirement of this subsection. An agreement under this subsection shall include the relevant privacy protections as in effect under the Cooperative Research and Development Agreement for Cybersecurity Information Sharing and Collaboration, as of December 31, 2014. Nothing in this subsection may be construed to require a non-Federal entity to enter into either a standard or negotiated agreement to be in compliance with this subsection. (3)

Information sharing authorization

(A)

In general

Except as provided in subparagraph (B), and notwithstanding any other provision of law, a non-Federal entity may, for cybersecurity purposes, share cyber threat indicators or defensive measures obtained on its own information system, or on an information system of another Federal entity or non-Federal entity, upon written consent of such other Federal entity or non-Federal entity or an authorized representative of such other Federal entity or non-Federal entity in accordance with this section with— (i)another non-Federal entity; or (ii)the Center, as provided in this section. (B)

Lawful restriction

A non-Federal entity receiving a cyber threat indicator or defensive measure from another Federal entity or non-Federal entity shall comply with otherwise lawful restrictions placed on the sharing or use of such cyber threat indicator or defensive measure by the sharing Federal entity or non-Federal entity. (C)

Removal of information unrelated to cybersecurity risks or incidents

Federal entities and non-Federal entities shall, prior to such sharing, take reasonable efforts to remove information that can be used to identify specific persons and is reasonably believed at the time of sharing to be unrelated to a cybersecurity risks or incident and to safeguard information that can be used to identify specific persons from unintended disclosure or unauthorized access or acquisition. (D)

Rule of construction

Nothing in this paragraph may be construed to— (i)limit or modify an existing information sharing relationship; (ii)prohibit a new information sharing relationship; (iii)require a new information sharing relationship between any non-Federal entity and a Federal entity; (iv)limit otherwise lawful activity; or (v)in any manner impact or modify procedures in existence as of the date of the enactment of this section for reporting known or suspected criminal activity to appropriate law enforcement authorities or for participating voluntarily or under legal requirement in an investigation. (E)

Coordinated vulnerability disclosure

The Under Secretary for Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection, in coordination with industry and other stakeholders, shall develop, publish, and adhere to policies and procedures for coordinating vulnerability disclosures, to the extent practicable, consistent with international standards in the information technology industry. (4)

Network awareness authorization

(A)

In general

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a non-Federal entity, not including a State, local, or tribal government, may, for cybersecurity purposes, conduct network awareness of— (i)an information system of such non-Federal entity to protect the rights or property of such non-Federal entity; (ii)an information system of another non-Federal entity, upon written consent of such other non-Federal entity for conducting such network awareness to protect the rights or property of such other non-Federal entity; (iii)an information system of a Federal entity, upon written consent of an authorized representative of such Federal entity for conducting such network awareness to protect the rights or property of such Federal entity; or (iv)information that is stored on, processed by, or transiting an information system described in this subparagraph. (B)

Rule of construction

Nothing in this paragraph may be construed to— (i)authorize conducting network awareness of an information system, or the use of any information obtained through such conducting of network awareness, other than as provided in this section; or (ii)limit otherwise lawful activity. (5)

Defensive measure authorization

(A)

In general

Except as provided in subparagraph (B) and notwithstanding any other provision of law, a non-Federal entity, not including a State, local, or tribal government, may, for cybersecurity purposes, operate a defensive measure that is applied to— (i)an information system of such non-Federal entity to protect the rights or property of such non-Federal entity; (ii)an information system of another non-Federal entity upon written consent of such other non-Federal entity for operation of such defensive measure to protect the rights or property of such other non-Federal entity; (iii)an information system of a Federal entity upon written consent of an authorized representative of such Federal entity for operation of such defensive measure to protect the rights or property of such Federal entity; or (iv)information that is stored on, processed by, or transiting an information system described in this subparagraph. (B)

Rule of construction

Nothing in this paragraph may be construed to— (i)authorize the use of a defensive measure other than as provided in this section; or (ii)limit otherwise lawful activity. (6)

Privacy and civil liberties protections

(A)

Policies and procedures

(i)

In general

The Under Secretary for Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection shall, in coordination with the Chief Privacy Officer and the Chief Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Officer of the Department, establish and annually review policies and procedures governing the receipt, retention, use, and disclosure of cyber threat indicators, defensive measures, and information related to cybersecurity risks and incidents shared with the Center in accordance with this section. Such policies and procedures shall apply only to the Department, consistent with the need to protect information systems from cybersecurity risks and incidents and mitigate cybersecurity risks and incidents in a timely manner, and shall— (I)be consistent with the Department’s Fair Information Practice Principles developed pursuant to section 552a of title 5, United States Code (commonly referred to as the Privacy Act of 1974 or the Privacy Act), and subject to the Secretary’s authority under subsection (a)(2) of section 222 of this Act; (II)reasonably limit, to the greatest extent practicable, the receipt, retention, use, and disclosure of cyber threat indicators and defensive measures associated with specific persons that is not necessary, for cybersecurity purposes, to protect a network or information system from cybersecurity risks or mitigate cybersecurity risks and incidents in a timely manner; (III)minimize any impact on privacy and civil liberties; (IV)provide data integrity through the prompt removal and destruction of obsolete or erroneous names and personal information that is unrelated to the cybersecurity risk or incident information shared and retained by the Center in accordance with this section; (V)include requirements to safeguard cyber threat indicators and defensive measures retained by the Center, including information that is proprietary or business-sensitive that may be used to identify specific persons from unauthorized access or acquisition; (VI)protect the confidentiality of cyber threat indicators and defensive measures associated with specific persons to the greatest extent practicable; and (VII)ensure all relevant constitutional, legal, and privacy protections are observed. (ii)

Submission to Congress

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this section and annually thereafter, the Chief Privacy Officer and the Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties of the Department, in consultation with the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board (established pursuant to section 1061 of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (42 U.S.C. 2000ee)), shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate the policies and procedures governing the sharing of cyber threat indicators, defensive measures, and information related to cybsersecurity risks and incidents described in clause (i) of subparagraph (A). (iii)

Public notice and access

The Under Secretary for Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection, in consultation with the Chief Privacy Officer and the Chief Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Officer of the Department, and the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board (established pursuant to section 1061 of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (42 U.S.C. 2000ee)), shall ensure there is public notice of, and access to, the policies and procedures governing the sharing of cyber threat indicators, defensive measures, and information related to cybersecurity risks and incidents. (iv)

Consultation

The Under Secretary for Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection when establishing policies and procedures to support privacy and civil liberties may consult with the National Institute of Standards and Technology. (B)

Implementation

The Chief Privacy Officer of the Department, on an ongoing basis, shall— (i)monitor the implementation of the policies and procedures governing the sharing of cyber threat indicators and defensive measures established pursuant to clause (i) of subparagraph (A); (ii)regularly review and update privacy impact assessments, as appropriate, to ensure all relevant constitutional, legal, and privacy protections are being followed; (iii)work with the Under Secretary for Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection to carry out paragraphs (10) and (11) of subsection (c); (iv)annually submit to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a report that contains a review of the effectiveness of such policies and procedures to protect privacy and civil liberties; and (v)ensure there are appropriate sanctions in place for officers, employees, or agents of the Department who intentionally or willfully conduct activities under this section in an unauthorized manner. (C)

Inspector General report

The Inspector General of the Department, in consultation with the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board and the Inspector General of each Federal agency that receives cyber threat indicators or defensive measures shared with the Center under this section, shall, not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this subsection and periodically thereafter submit to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a report containing a review of the use of cybersecurity risk information shared with the Center, including the following: (i)A report on the receipt, use, and dissemination of cyber threat indicators and defensive measures that have been shared with Federal entities under this section. (ii)Information on the use by the Center of such information for a purpose other than a cybersecurity purpose. (iii)A review of the type of information shared with the Center under this section. (iv)A review of the actions taken by the Center based on such information. (v)The appropriate metrics that exist to determine the impact, if any, on privacy and civil liberties as a result of the sharing of such information with the Center. (vi)A list of other Federal agencies receiving such information. (vii)A review of the sharing of such information within the Federal Government to identify inappropriate stove piping of such information. (viii)Any recommendations of the Inspector General of the Department for improvements or modifications to information sharing under this section. (D)

Privacy and Civil Liberties Officers report

The Chief Privacy Officer and the Chief Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Officer of the Department, in consultation with the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board, the Inspector General of the Department, and the senior privacy and civil liberties officer of each Federal agency that receives cyber threat indicators and defensive measures shared with the Center under this section, shall biennially submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report assessing the privacy and civil liberties impact of the activities under this paragraph. Each such report shall include any recommendations the Chief Privacy Officer and the Chief Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Officer of the Department consider appropriate to minimize or mitigate the privacy and civil liberties impact of the sharing of cyber threat indicators and defensive measures under this section. (E)

Form

Each report required under paragraphs (C) and (D) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex. (7)

Uses and protection of information

(A)

Non-Federal entities

A non-Federal entity, not including a State, local, or tribal government, that shares cyber threat indicators or defensive measures through the Center or otherwise under this section— (i)may use, retain, or further disclose such cyber threat indicators or defensive measures solely for cybersecurity purposes; (ii)shall, prior to such sharing, take reasonable efforts to remove information that can be used to identify specific persons and is reasonably believed at the time of sharing to be unrelated to a cybersecurity risk or incident, and to safeguard information that can be used to identify specific persons from unintended disclosure or unauthorized access or acquisition; (iii)shall comply with appropriate restrictions that a Federal entity or non-Federal entity places on the subsequent disclosure or retention of cyber threat indicators and defensive measures that it discloses to other Federal entities or non-Federal entities; (iv)shall be deemed to have voluntarily shared such cyber threat indicators or defensive measures; (v)shall implement and utilize a security control to protect against unauthorized access to or acquisition of such cyber threat indicators or defensive measures; and (vi)may not use such information to gain an unfair competitive advantage to the detriment of any non-Federal entity. (B)

Federal entities

(i)

Uses of information

A Federal entity that receives cyber threat indicators or defensive measures shared through the Center or otherwise under this section from another Federal entity or a non-Federal entity— (I)may use, retain, or further disclose such cyber threat indicators or defensive measures solely for cybersecurity purposes; (II)shall, prior to such sharing, take reasonable efforts to remove information that can be used to identify specific persons and is reasonably believed at the time of sharing to be unrelated to a cybersecurity risk or incident, and to safeguard information that can be used to identify specific persons from unintended disclosure or unauthorized access or acquisition; (III)shall be deemed to have voluntarily shared such cyber threat indicators or defensive measures; (IV)shall implement and utilize a security control to protect against unauthorized access to or acquisition of such cyber threat indicators or defensive measures; and (V)may not use such cyber threat indicators or defensive measures to engage in surveillance or other collection activities for the purpose of tracking an individual’s personally identifiable information. (ii)

Protections for information

The cyber threat indicators and defensive measures referred to in clause (i)— (I)are exempt from disclosure under section 552 of title 5, United States Code, and withheld, without discretion, from the public under subsection (b)(3)(B) of such section; (II)may not be used by the Federal Government for regulatory purposes; (III)may not constitute a waiver of any applicable privilege or protection provided by law, including trade secret protection; (IV)shall be considered the commercial, financial, and proprietary information of the non-Federal entity referred to in clause (i) when so designated by such non-Federal entity; and (V)may not be subject to a rule of any Federal entity or any judicial doctrine regarding ex parte communications with a decisionmaking official. (C)

State, local, or tribal government

(i)

Uses of information

A State, local, or tribal government that receives cyber threat indicators or defensive measures from the Center from a Federal entity or a non-Federal entity— (I)may use, retain, or further disclose such cyber threat indicators or defensive measures solely for cybersecurity purposes; (II)shall, prior to such sharing, take reasonable efforts to remove information that can be used to identify specific persons and is reasonably believed at the time of sharing to be unrelated to a cybersecurity risk or incident, and to safeguard information that can be used to identify specific persons from unintended disclosure or unauthorized access or acquisition; (III)shall consider such information the commercial, financial, and proprietary information of such Federal entity or non-Federal entity if so designated by such Federal entity or non-Federal entity; (IV)shall be deemed to have voluntarily shared such cyber threat indicators or defensive measures; and (V)shall implement and utilize a security control to protect against unauthorized access to or acquisition of such cyber threat indicators or defensive measures. (ii)

Protections for information

The cyber threat indicators and defensive measures referred to in clause (i)— (I)shall be exempt from disclosure under any State, local, or tribal law or regulation that requires public disclosure of information or records by a public or quasi-public entity; and (II)may not be used by any State, local, or tribal government to regulate a lawful activity of a non-Federal entity. (8)

Liability exemptions

(A)

Network awareness

No cause of action shall lie or be maintained in any court, and such action shall be promptly dismissed, against any non-Federal entity that, for cybersecurity purposes, conducts network awareness under paragraph (4), if such network awareness is conducted in accordance with such paragraph and this section. (B)

Information sharing

No cause of action shall lie or be maintained in any court, and such action shall be promptly dismissed, against any non-Federal entity that, for cybersecurity purposes, shares cyber threat indicators or defensive measures under paragraph (3), or fails to act based on such sharing, if such sharing is conducted in accordance with such paragraph and this section. (C)

Willful misconduct

(i)

Rule of construction

Nothing in this section may be construed to— (I)require dismissal of a cause of action against a non-Federal entity that has engaged in willful misconduct in the course of conducting activities authorized by this section; or (II)undermine or limit the availability of otherwise applicable common law or statutory defenses. (ii)

Proof of willful misconduct

In any action claiming that subparagraph (A) or (B) does not apply due to willful misconduct described in clause (i), the plaintiff shall have the burden of proving by clear and convincing evidence the willful misconduct by each non-Federal entity subject to such claim and that such willful misconduct proximately caused injury to the plaintiff. (iii)

Willful misconduct defined

In this subsection, the term willful misconduct means an act or omission that is taken— (I)intentionally to achieve a wrongful purpose; (II)knowingly without legal or factual justification; and (III)in disregard of a known or obvious risk that is so great as to make it highly probable that the harm will outweigh the benefit. (D)

Exclusion

The term non-Federal entity as used in this paragraph shall not include a State, local, or tribal government. (9)

Federal Government liability for violations of restrictions on the use and protection of voluntarily shared information

(A)

In general

If a department or agency of the Federal Government intentionally or willfully violates the restrictions specified in paragraph (3), (6), or (7)(B) on the use and protection of voluntarily shared cyber threat indicators or defensive measures, or any other provision of this section, the Federal Government shall be liable to a person injured by such violation in an amount equal to the sum of— (i)the actual damages sustained by such person as a result of such violation or $1,000, whichever is greater; and (ii)reasonable attorney fees as determined by the court and other litigation costs reasonably occurred in any case under this subsection in which the complainant has substantially prevailed. (B)

Venue

An action to enforce liability under this subsection may be brought in the district court of the United States in— (i)the district in which the complainant resides; (ii)the district in which the principal place of business of the complainant is located; (iii)the district in which the department or agency of the Federal Government that disclosed the information is located; or (iv)the District of Columbia. (C)

Statute of limitations

No action shall lie under this subsection unless such action is commenced not later than two years after the date of the violation of any restriction specified in paragraph (3), (6), or 7(B), or any other provision of this section, that is the basis for such action. (D)

Exclusive cause of action

A cause of action under this subsection shall be the exclusive means available to a complainant seeking a remedy for a violation of any restriction specified in paragraph (3), (6), or 7(B) or any other provision of this section. (10)

Anti-trust exemption

(A)

In general

Except as provided in subparagraph (C), it shall not be considered a violation of any provision of antitrust laws for two or more non-Federal entities to share a cyber threat indicator or defensive measure, or assistance relating to the prevention, investigation, or mitigation of a cybersecurity risk or incident, for cybersecurity purposes under this Act. (B)

Applicability

Subparagraph (A) shall apply only to information that is shared or assistance that is provided in order to assist with— (i)facilitating the prevention, investigation, or mitigation of a cybersecurity risk or incident to an information system or information that is stored on, processed by, or transiting an information system; or (ii)communicating or disclosing a cyber threat indicator or defensive measure to help prevent, investigate, or mitigate the effect of a cybersecurity risk or incident to an information system or information that is stored on, processed by, or transiting an information system. (C)

Prohibited conduct

Nothing in this section may be construed to permit price-fixing, allocating a market between competitors, monopolizing or attempting to monopolize a market, or exchanges of price or cost information, customer lists, or information regarding future competitive planning. (11)

Construction and preemption

(A)

Otherwise lawful disclosures

Nothing in this section may be construed to limit or prohibit otherwise lawful disclosures of communications, records, or other information, including reporting of known or suspected criminal activity or participating voluntarily or under legal requirement in an investigation, by a non-Federal to any other non-Federal entity or Federal entity under this section. (B)

Whistle blower protections

Nothing in this section may be construed to prohibit or limit the disclosure of information protected under section 2302(b)(8) of title 5, United States Code (governing disclosures of illegality, waste, fraud, abuse, or public health or safety threats), section 7211 of title 5, United States Code (governing disclosures to Congress), section 1034 of title 10, United States Code (governing disclosure to Congress by members of the military), section 1104 of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3234) (governing disclosure by employees of elements of the intelligence community), or any similar provision of Federal or State law. (C)

Relationship to other laws

Nothing in this section may be construed to affect any requirement under any other provision of law for a non-Federal entity to provide information to a Federal entity. (D)

Preservation of contractual obligations and rights

Nothing in this section may be construed to— (i)amend, repeal, or supersede any current or future contractual agreement, terms of service agreement, or other contractual relationship between any non-Federal entities, or between any non-Federal entity and a Federal entity; or (ii)abrogate trade secret or intellectual property rights of any non-Federal entity or Federal entity. (E)

Anti-tasking restriction

Nothing in this section may be construed to permit a Federal entity to— (i)require a non-Federal entity to provide information to a Federal entity; (ii)condition the sharing of cyber threat indicators or defensive measures with a non-Federal entity on such non-Federal entity’s provision of cyber threat indicators or defensive measures to a Federal entity; or (iii)condition the award of any Federal grant, contract, or purchase on the sharing of cyber threat indicators or defensive measures with a Federal entity. (F)

No liability for non-participation

Nothing in this section may be construed to subject any non-Federal entity to liability for choosing to not engage in the voluntary activities authorized under this section. (G)

Use and retention of information

Nothing in this section may be construed to authorize, or to modify any existing authority of, a department or agency of the Federal Government to retain or use any information shared under this section for any use other than permitted in this section. (H)

Voluntary sharing

Nothing in this section may be construed to restrict or condition a non-Federal entity from sharing, for cybersecurity purposes, cyber threat indicators, defensive measures, or information related to cybersecurity risks or incidents with any other non-Federal entity, and nothing in this section may be construed as requiring any non-Federal entity to share cyber threat indicators, defensive measures, or information related to cybersecurity risks or incidents with the Center. (I)

Federal preemption

This section supersedes any statute or other provision of law of a State or political subdivision of a State that restricts or otherwise expressly regulates an activity authorized under this section. (j)

Direct reporting

The Secretary shall develop policies and procedures for direct reporting to the Secretary by the Director of the Center regarding significant cybersecurity risks and incidents. (k)

Additional responsibilities

The Secretary shall build upon existing mechanisms to promote a national awareness effort to educate the general public on the importance of securing information systems. (l)

Reports on international cooperation

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this subsection and periodically thereafter, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a report on the range of efforts underway to bolster cybersecurity collaboration with relevant international partners in accordance with subsection (c)(8). (m)

Outreach

Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this subsection, the Secretary, acting through the Under Secretary for Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection, shall— (1)disseminate to the public information about how to voluntarily share cyber threat indicators and defensive measures with the Center; and (2)enhance outreach to critical infrastructure owners and operators for purposes of such sharing.