Legislation approved by the House of Representatives on May 16 would seek to improve coordination between the federal government and universities to research and address cybersecurity risks.
Sponsored by Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-Tex.), the “National Cybersecurity Preparedness Consortium Act” (H.R. 4743) would allow the Homeland Security Department to work with universities and nonprofit organizations to develop training programs, conduct exercises and help state and local governments foster information sharing.
According to a statement from Rep. Castro’s office, the bill would also authorize DHS to:
- Provide training, develop and update curriculum, and provide technical assistance to State and local first responders and officials specifically for preparing for and responding to cybersecurity risks and incidents;
- 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;
- Help States and communities develop cybersecurity information sharing programs for the dissemination of homeland security information related to cybersecurity risks and incidents; and
- Help States incorporate cybersecurity risk and incident prevention and response into existing State and local emergency plans.
The bill has been forwarded on to the Senate, where plans for the legislation have been announced.