DHS Cyber Hunt and Incident Response Teams Act of 2019

To authorize cyber hunt and incident response teams at the Department of Homeland Security, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the DHS Cyber Hunt and Incident Response Teams Act of 2019 2. Department of Homeland Security cyber hunt and incident response teams (a) In general Section 2209 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 ( 6 U.S.C. 659 (1) in subsection (d)(1)(B)(iv), by inserting , including cybersecurity specialists entities (2) by redesignating subsections (f) through (m) as subsections (g) through (n), respectively; (3) by inserting after subsection (e) the following: (f) Cyber hunt and incident response teams (1) In general The Center shall maintain cyber hunt and incident response teams for the purpose of leading Federal asset response activities and providing timely technical assistance to Federal and non-Federal entities, including across all critical infrastructure sectors, regarding actual or potential security incidents, as appropriate and upon request, including— (A) assistance to asset owners and operators in restoring services following a cyber incident; (B) identification and analysis of cybersecurity risk and unauthorized cyber activity; (C) mitigation strategies to prevent, deter, and protect against cybersecurity risks; (D) recommendations to asset owners and operators for improving overall network and control systems security to lower cybersecurity risks, and other recommendations, as appropriate; and (E) such other capabilities as the Secretary determines appropriate. (2) Associated metrics The Center shall continually assess and evaluate the cyber hunt and incident response teams and the operations of those cyber hunt and incident response teams using robust metrics. (3) Report At the conclusion of each of the first 4 fiscal years after the date of enactment of the DHS Cyber Hunt and Incident Response Teams Act of 2019 (A) information relating to the metrics used for evaluation and assessment of the cyber hunt and incident response teams and operations under paragraph (2), including the resources and staffing of those cyber hunt and incident response teams; and (B) for the period covered by the report— (i) the total number of incident response requests received; (ii) the number of incident response tickets opened; and (iii) a statement of— (I) all interagency staffing of cyber hunt and incident response teams; and (II) the interagency collaborations established to support cyber hunt and incident response teams. (4) Cybersecurity specialists After notice to, and with the approval of, the entity requesting action by or technical assistance from the Center, the Secretary may include cybersecurity specialists from the private sector on a cyber hunt and incident response team. ; and (4) in subsection (g), as so redesignated— (A) in paragraph (1), by inserting , or any team or activity of the Center, Center (B) in paragraph (2), by inserting , or any team or activity of the Center, Center (b) No additional funds authorized No additional funds are authorized to be appropriated to carry out the requirements of this Act and the amendments made by this Act. Such requirements shall be carried out using amounts otherwise authorized to be appropriated. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the DHS Cyber Hunt and Incident Response Teams Act of 2019 2. Department of Homeland Security cyber hunt and incident response teams (a) In general Section 2209 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 ( 6 U.S.C. 659 (1) in subsection (d)(1)(B)(iv), by inserting , including cybersecurity specialists entities (2) by redesignating subsections (f) through (m) as subsections (g) through (n), respectively; (3) by inserting after subsection (e) the following: (f) Cyber hunt and incident response teams (1) In general The Center shall maintain cyber hunt and incident response teams for the purpose of leading Federal asset response activities and providing timely technical assistance to Federal and non-Federal entities, including across all critical infrastructure sectors, regarding actual or potential security incidents, as appropriate and upon request, including— (A) assistance to asset owners and operators in restoring services following a cyber incident; (B) identification and analysis of cybersecurity risk and unauthorized cyber activity; (C) mitigation strategies to prevent, deter, and protect against cybersecurity risks; (D) recommendations to asset owners and operators for improving overall network and control systems security to lower cybersecurity risks, and other recommendations, as appropriate; and (E) such other capabilities as the Secretary determines appropriate. (2) Associated metrics The Center shall— (A) define the goals and desired outcomes for each cyber hunt and incident response team; and (B) develop metrics— (i) to measure the effectiveness and efficiency of each cyber hunt and incident response team in achieving the goals and desired outcomes defined under subparagraph (A); and (ii) that— (I) are quantifiable and actionable; and (II) the Center shall use to improve the effectiveness and accountability of, and service delivery by, cyber hunt and incident response teams. (3) Cybersecurity specialists After notice to, and with the approval of, the entity requesting action by or technical assistance from the Center, the Secretary may include cybersecurity specialists from the private sector on a cyber hunt and incident response team. ; and (4) in subsection (g), as so redesignated— (A) in paragraph (1), by inserting , or any team or activity of the Center, Center (B) in paragraph (2), by inserting , or any team or activity of the Center, Center (b) Report (1) Definitions In this subsection— (A) the term Center 6 U.S.C. 659(b) (B) the term cyber hunt and incident response team 6 U.S.C. 659(f) (C) the term incident 6 U.S.C. 659(a) (2) Report At the conclusion of each of the first 4 fiscal years after the date of enactment of the DHS Cyber Hunt and Incident Response Teams Act of 2019 (A) information relating to the metrics used for evaluation and assessment of the cyber hunt and incident response teams and operations under section 2209(f)(2) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 ( 6 U.S.C. 659(f)(2) (B) for the period covered by the report— (i) the total number of incident response requests received; (ii) the number of incident response tickets opened; and (iii) a statement of— (I) all interagency staffing of cyber hunt and incident response teams; and (II) the interagency collaborations established to support cyber hunt and incident response teams. (c) No additional funds authorized No additional funds are authorized to be appropriated to carry out the requirements of this Act and the amendments made by this Act. Such requirements shall be carried out using amounts otherwise authorized to be appropriated. April 8, 2019 Reported with an amendment

Summary: DHS Cyber Hunt and Incident Response Teams Act of 2019 This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security's National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center to maintain cyber-hunt and incident-response teams to assist with activities such as restoring services following a cyber incident and identifying cybersecurity risks and unauthorized cyber activity.