Strengthening Cyber Resilience Against State-Sponsored Threats Act
Strengthening Cyber Resilience Against State-Sponsored Threats Act
Plain Language Summary
# Strengthening Cyber Resilience Against State-Sponsored Threats Act Summary **What It Does:** This bill creates a task force within the federal government to coordinate efforts against Chinese state-sponsored hackers, particularly a group called Volt Typhoon. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), part of the Department of Homeland Security, would lead this task force and bring together multiple agencies—including the Defense Department, Energy Department, and FBI—to better detect, analyze, and respond to Chinese cyber attacks. **Who It Affects:** The bill primarily affects federal agencies responsible for cybersecurity and critical infrastructure protection. Indirectly, it could benefit Americans who rely on critical systems like power grids, water systems, and other essential services that are vulnerable to cyber attacks.
The task force aims to ensure different agencies work together seamlessly rather than in separate silos. **Current Status:** The bill passed the House of Representatives and is now awaiting Senate action. Key provisions require the involved agencies to share analysis, inspection reports, and audit findings with the task force to improve coordination and ensure responses to cyber threats are aligned across government.
CRS Official Summary
Strengthening Cyber Resilience Against State-Sponsored Threats ActThe bill creates a joint interagency task force to facilitate agency collaboration on efforts to respond to Chinese state-sponsored cyber actors, including Volt Typhoon. The task force must be established and led by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), an agency within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The task force must facilitate collaboration and coordination among the Sector Risk Management Agencies (SRMAs) specified in the President's National Security Memorandum- 22 (e.g., the Department of Defense, the Department of Energy, and the Department of Agriculture) to detect, analyze, and respond to Chinese state-sponsored cyber actors by ensuring that such agencies’ actions are aligned and mutually reinforcing.The bill directs DHS, CISA, the Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and specified SRMAs to provide the task force with analysis, inspections, audits, and other relevant information necessary for the task force to carry out its responsibilities. The production and use of information must comply with all applicable statutes, regulations, and executive orders, and task force members must have appropriate security clearances to access classified information.The task force must provide annual reports and briefings to Congress detailing its assessment of cyber threats and recommendations to improve the detection and mitigation of the cybersecurity threat posed by Chinese state-sponsored cyber actors.The first report must be provided no later than 540 days after the establishment of the task force, and additional reports must be provided annually thereafter for six years.
Latest Action
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.