[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 41 (Thursday, March 9, 2017)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1745-S1746]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. CORNYN (for himself, Mr. Cruz, and Mr. Leahy):
  S. 594. A bill to authorize the Secretary of Homeland Security to 
work with cybersecurity consortia for training, and for other purposes; 
to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
  Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of 
the bill be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

                                 S. 594

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``National Cybersecurity 
     Preparedness Consortium Act of 2017''.

     SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act--
       (1) the term ``consortium'' means a group primarily 
     composed of non-profit entities, including academic 
     institutions, that develop, update, and deliver cybersecurity 
     training in support of homeland security;
       (2) the terms ``cybersecurity risk'' and ``incident'' have 
     the meanings given those terms in section 227(a) of the 
     Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 148(a));
       (3) the term ``Department'' means the Department of 
     Homeland Security; and
       (4) the term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Homeland 
     Security.

     SEC. 3. NATIONAL CYBERSECURITY PREPAREDNESS CONSORTIUM.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary may work with a consortium, 
     including the National Cybersecurity Preparedness Consortium, 
     to support efforts to address cybersecurity risks and 
     incidents, including threats of terrorism and acts of 
     terrorism.
       (b) Assistance to the NCCIC.--The Secretary may work with a 
     consortium to assist the national cybersecurity and 
     communications integration center of the Department 
     (established under section 227 of the Homeland Security Act 
     of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 148)) to--
       (1) provide training to State and local first responders 
     and officials specifically for preparing for and responding 
     to cybersecurity risks and incidents, including threats of 
     terrorism and acts of terrorism, in accordance with 
     applicable law;
       (2) develop and update a curriculum utilizing existing 
     programs and models in accordance with such section 227, for 
     State and local first responders and officials, related to 
     cybersecurity risks and incidents, including threats of 
     terrorism and acts of terrorism;
       (3) provide technical assistance services to build and 
     sustain capabilities in support of preparedness for and 
     response to cybersecurity risks and incidents, including 
     threats of terrorism and acts of terrorism, in accordance 
     with such section 227;
       (4) conduct cross-sector cybersecurity training and 
     simulation exercises for entities, including State and local 
     governments, critical infrastructure owners and operators, 
     and private industry, to encourage community-wide 
     coordination in defending against and responding to 
     cybersecurity risks and incidents, including threats of 
     terrorism and acts of terrorism, in accordance with section 
     228(c) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 
     149(c));
       (5) help States and communities develop cybersecurity 
     information sharing programs, in accordance with section 227 
     of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 148), for the 
     dissemination of homeland security information related to 
     cybersecurity risks and incidents, including threats of 
     terrorism and acts of terrorism; and
       (6) help incorporate cybersecurity risk and incident 
     prevention and response (including related to threats of 
     terrorism and acts of terrorism) into existing State and 
     local emergency plans, including continuity of operations 
     plans.
       (c) Prohibition on Duplication.--In carrying out the 
     functions under subsection (b), the Secretary shall, to the 
     greatest extent practicable, seek to prevent unnecessary 
     duplication of existing programs or efforts of the 
     Department.
       (d) Considerations Regarding Selection of a Consortium.--In 
     selecting a consortium with which to work under this Act, the 
     Secretary shall take into consideration the following:
       (1) Any prior experience conducting cybersecurity training 
     and exercises for State and local entities.
       (2) Geographic diversity of the members of any such 
     consortium so as to cover different regions throughout the 
     United States.
       (e) Metrics.--If the Secretary works with a consortium 
     under subsection (a), the Secretary shall measure the 
     effectiveness of the activities undertaken by the consortium 
     under this Act.
       (f) Outreach.--The Secretary shall conduct outreach to 
     universities and colleges, including historically Black 
     colleges and universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, 
     Tribal Colleges and Universities, and other minority-serving 
     institutions, regarding opportunities to support efforts to 
     address cybersecurity risks and incidents, including threats 
     of terrorism and acts of terrorism, by working with the 
     Secretary under subsection (a).
       (g) Termination.--The authority to carry out this Act shall 
     terminate on the date that is 5 years after the date of 
     enactment of this Act.


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