Plain Language Summary
# ANCHOR Act Summary **What the Bill Does** The ANCHOR Act directs the National Science Foundation (NSF) to create a comprehensive plan for upgrading the cybersecurity and internet connectivity of America's Academic Research Fleet (ARF)—a group of oceangoing research vessels used by scientists and students to study marine science. The bill requires the NSF to assess what technological improvements are needed, estimate costs, determine implementation timelines, and develop a funding strategy involving the NSF, Navy research offices, and vessel owners. **Who It Affects** This bill primarily impacts oceanographic researchers, universities, and scientific institutions that use these research vessels. It also affects the NSF and other federal agencies involved in funding and maintaining the fleet.
Indirectly, it benefits the broader scientific community by potentially improving America's capacity to conduct ocean research. **Key Provisions & Status** The plan must evaluate telecommunications needs for typical research missions, identify appropriate cybersecurity standards for government research vessels, and outline costs and timelines for upgrades. It also requires developing a spending plan across multiple funding sources. As of now, the bill has **passed the Senate** and is moving through the legislative process.
CRS Official Summary
Accelerating Networking, Cyberinfrastructure, and Hardware for Oceanic Research Act or the ANCHOR Act This bill requires the National Science Foundation (NSF) to develop a plan to improve the cybersecurity and telecommunications capabilities of the U.S. Academic Research Fleet (ARF).ARF is comprised of U.S.-flagged vessels that provide at-sea laboratories where oceanographic scientists, educators, and students research and learn about marine science. The bill requires the plan to include assessments oftelecommunications and networking needs of ARF, consistent with typical scientific missions;cybersecurity needs appropriate for the ownership of ARF vessels and their typical research functions;the costs necessary to meet these needs; andthe time required to implement necessary upgrades.The plan must also include (1) a spending plan for the NSF, the Office of Naval Research, nonfederal owners of ARF vessels, and users of the vessels to cover identified costs; and (2) a proposal regarding the adoption of common solutions or consortial licensing agreements, or the centralization of cybersecurity, telecommunications, or data management at a single facility. Among other factors specified in the bill, the NSF must consider the network capabilities necessary to meet mission needs (e.g., to upload data to shoreside servers), international standards and guidance for information security, and requirements for controlled unclassified or classified information. The plan must be provided to Congress within one year of the bill's enactment.
Latest Action
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