Sanction and Stop Ransomware Act of 2021

To address threats relating to ransomware, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Sanction and Stop Ransomware Act of 2021 2. Cybersecurity standards for critical infrastructure (a) In general Title XXII of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 ( 6 U.S.C. 651 et seq. C Cybersecurity standards for critical infrastructure 2231. Definition of critical infrastructure entity In this subtitle, the term critical infrastructure entity 2232 Cybersecurity standards (a) In general The Secretary, in consultation with the Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, shall develop and promulgate mandatory cybersecurity standards for critical infrastructure entities. (b) Harmonization and incorporation In developing the cybersecurity standards required under subsection (a), the Secretary shall— (1) to the greatest extent practicable, ensure the cybersecurity standards are consistent with Federal regulations existing as of the date on enactment of the Sanction and Stop Ransomware Act of 2021 (2) in coordination with the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, ensure that the cybersecurity standards incorporate, to the greatest extent practicable, the standards developed with facilitation and support from the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology under section 2(c)(15) of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act ( 15 U.S.C. 272(c)(15) (c) Compliance assessment Not less frequently than annually, the Secretary, in coordination with the heads of Sector Risk Management Agencies, shall assess the compliance of each critical infrastructure entity with the cybersecurity standards developed under subsection (a). . (b) Technical and conforming amendment The table of contents in section 1(b) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 ( Public Law 107–296 Subtitle C—Cybersecurity standards for critical infrastructure Sec. 2231. Definition of critical infrastructure entity. Sec. 2232. Cybersecurity standards. . 3. Regulation of cryptocurrency exchanges (a) Secretary of the Treasury Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Treasury shall— (1) develop and institute regulatory requirements for cryptocurrency exchanges operating within the United States to reduce the anonymity of users and accounts suspected of ransomware activity and make records available to the Federal Government in connection with ransomware incidents; and (2) submit to Congress a report with any recommendations that may be necessary regarding cryptocurrency exchanges used in conjunction with ransomware. (b) Attorney General The Attorney General shall determine what information should be preserved by cryptocurrency exchanges to facilitate law enforcement investigations. 4. Designation of state sponsors of ransomware and reporting requirements (a) Designation of state sponsors of ransomware (1) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Director of National Intelligence, shall— (A) designate as a state sponsor of ransomware any country the government of which the Secretary has determined has provided support for ransomware demand schemes (including by providing safe haven for individuals engaged in such schemes); (B) submit to Congress a report listing the countries designated under subparagraph (A); and (C) in making designations under subparagraph (A), take into consideration the report submitted to Congress under section 5(c)(1). (2) Sanctions and penalties The President shall impose with respect to each state sponsor of ransomware designated under paragraph (1)(A) the sanctions and penalties imposed with respect to a state sponsor of terrorism. (3) State sponsor of terrorism defined In this subsection, the term state sponsor of terrorism (A) section 1754(c)(1)(A)(i) of the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 ( 50 U.S.C. 4813(c)(1)(A)(i) (B) section 620A of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 ( 22 U.S.C. 2371 (C) section 40(d) of the Arms Export Control Act ( 22 U.S.C. 2780(d) (D) any other provision of law. (b) Reporting requirements (1) Sanctions relating to ransomware report Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Treasury shall submit a report to Congress that describes, for each of the 5 fiscal years immediately preceding the date of such report, the number and geographic locations of individuals, groups, and entities subject to sanctions imposed by the Office of Foreign Assets Control who were subsequently determined to have been involved in a ransomware demand scheme. (2) Country of origin report The Secretary of State, in consultation with the Director of National Intelligence and the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, shall— (A) submit a report, with a classified annex, to the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives (B) make the report described in subparagraph (A) (excluding the classified annex) available to the public. (3) Investigative authorities report Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall issue a report that outlines the authorities available to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Secret Service, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, the Homeland Security Investigations, and the Office of Foreign Assets Control to respond to foreign-based ransomware attacks. 5. Deeming ransomware threats to critical infrastructure as a national intelligence priority (a) Critical infrastructure defined In this section, the term critical infrastructure 42 U.S.C. 5195c(e) (b) Ransomware threats to critical infrastructure as national intelligence priority The Director of National Intelligence, pursuant to the provisions of the National Security Act of 1947 ( 50 U.S.C. 3001 et seq. Public Law 108–458 50 U.S.C. 3001 (c) Report (1) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Director of National Intelligence shall, in consultation with the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, submit to the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives a report on the implications of the ransomware threat to United States national security. (2) Contents The report submitted under paragraph (1) shall address the following: (A) Identification of individuals, groups, and entities who pose the most significant threat, including attribution to individual ransomware attacks whenever possible. (B) Locations from where individuals, groups, and entities conduct ransomware attacks. (C) The infrastructure, tactics, and techniques ransomware actors commonly use. (D) Any relationships between the individuals, groups, and entities that conduct ransomware attacks and their governments or countries of origin that could impede the ability to counter ransomware threats. (E) Intelligence gaps that have, or currently are, impeding the ability to counter ransomware threats. (3) Form The report submitted under paragraph (1) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex. 6. Ransomware operation reporting capabilities (a) In general Title XXII of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 ( 6 U.S.C. 651 et seq. D Ransomware Operation Reporting Capabilities 2241. Definitions In this subtitle: (1) Definitions from section 2201 The definitions in section 2201 shall apply to this subtitle, except as otherwise provided. (2) Agency The term Agency (3) Appropriate congressional committees The term appropriate congressional committees (A) the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate; (B) the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate; (C) the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate; (D) the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives; (E) the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives; and (F) the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives. (4) Covered entity The term covered entity (A) a Federal contractor; (B) an owner or operator of critical infrastructure; (C) a non-government entity that provides cybersecurity incident response services; and (D) any other entity determined appropriate by the Secretary, in coordination with the head of any other appropriate department or agency. (5) Critical function The term critical function (6) Director The term Director (7) Federal agency The term Federal agency agency (8) Federal contractor The term Federal contractor (A) means a contractor or subcontractor (at any tier) of the United States Government; and (B) does not include a contractor or subcontractor that is a party only to— (i) a service contract to provide housekeeping or custodial services; or (ii) a contract to provide products or services unrelated to information technology that is below the micro-purchase threshold (as defined in section 2.101 of title 48, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor thereto). (9) Information technology The term information technology (10) Ransomware The term ransomware (A) prevents the legitimate owner or operator of an information system or network from accessing electronic data, files, systems, or networks; and (B) demands the payment of a ransom for the return of access to the electronic data, files, systems, or networks described in subparagraph (A). (11) Ransomware notification The term ransomware notification (12) Ransomware operation The term ransomware operation (A) a covered entity; or (B) a Federal agency. (13) System The term System 2242. Establishment of ransomware operation reporting system (a) Designation The Agency shall be the designated agency within the Federal Government to receive ransomware operation notifications from other Federal agencies and covered entities in accordance with this subtitle. (b) Establishment Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this subtitle, the Director shall establish ransomware operation reporting capabilities to facilitate the submission of timely, secure, and confidential ransomware notifications by Federal agencies and covered entities to the Agency. (c) Security assessment The Director shall— (1) assess the security of the System not less frequently than once every 2 years; and (2) as soon as is practicable after conducting an assessment under paragraph (1), make any necessary corrective measures to the System. (d) Requirements The System shall have the ability— (1) to accept classified submissions and notifications; and (2) to accept a ransomware notification from any entity, regardless of whether the entity is a covered entity. (e) Limitations on use of information Any ransomware notification submitted to the System— (1) shall be exempt from disclosure under— (A) section 552 of title 5, United States Code (commonly referred to as the “Freedom of Information Act”), in accordance with subsection (b)(3)(B) of such section 552; and (B) any State, Tribal, or local law requiring the disclosure of information or records; and (2) may not be— (A) admitted as evidence in any civil or criminal action brought against the victim of the ransomware operation; or (B) subject to a subpoena, unless the subpoena is issued by Congress for congressional oversight purposes. (f) Privacy and protection (1) In general Not later than the date on which the Director establishes the System, Director shall adopt privacy and protection procedures for any information submitted to the System that, at the time of the submission, is known to contain— (A) the personal information of a specific individual; or (B) information that identifies a specific individual that is not directly related to a ransomware operation. (2) Model for protections The Director shall base the privacy and protection procedures adopted under paragraph (1) on the privacy and protection procedures developed for information received and shared pursuant to the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015 ( 6 U.S.C. 1501 et seq. (g) Annual reports (1) Director reporting requirement Not later than 1 year after the date on which the System is established and once each year thereafter, the Director shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on the System, which shall include, with respect to the 1-year period preceding the report— (A) the number of notifications received through the System; and (B) the actions taken in connection with the notifications described in subparagraph (A). (2) Secretary reporting requirement Not later than 1 year after the date on which the System is established, and once each year thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on the types of ransomware operation information and incidents in which ransom is requested that are required to be submitted as a ransomware notification, noting any changes from the previous submission. (3) Form Any report required under this subsection may be submitted in a classified form, if necessary. 2243. Required notifications (a) In general (1) Ransomware notification Not later than 24 hours after the discovery of a ransomware operation that compromises, is reasonably likely to compromise, or otherwise materially affects the performance of a critical function by a Federal agency or covered entity, the Federal agency or covered entity that discovered the ransomware operation shall submit a ransomware notification to the System. (2) Inclusion A Federal agency or covered entity shall submit a ransomware notification under paragraph (1) of a ransomware operation discovered by the Federal agency or covered entity even if the ransomware operation does not occur on a system of the Federal agency or covered entity. (b) Required updates A Federal agency or covered entity that submits a ransomware notification under subsection (a) shall, upon discovery of new information and not less frequently than once every 5 days until the date on which the ransomware operation is mitigated and any follow-up investigation is completed, submit updated ransomware threat information to the System. (c) Payment disclosure Not later than 24 hours after a Federal agency or covered entity issues a ransom payment relating to a ransomware operation, the Federal agency or covered entity shall submit to the System details of the ransom payment, including— (1) the method of payment; (2) the amount of the payment; and (3) the recipient of the payment. (d) Required rulemaking Notwithstanding any provision of this title that may limit or restrict the promulgation of rules, not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this subtitle, the Secretary, acting through the Director, in coordination with the Director of National Intelligence and the Attorney General, without regard to the notice and comment rule making requirements under section 553 of title 5, United States Code, and accepting comments after the effective date, shall promulgate interim final rules that define— (1) the conditions under which a ransomware notification is required to be submitted under subsection (a)(1); (2) the ransomware operation information that shall be included in a ransomware notification required under this section; and (3) the information that shall be included in a ransom payment disclosure required under subsection (c). (e) Required coordination with Sector Risk Management Agencies The Secretary, in coordination with the head of each Sector Risk Management Agency, shall— (1) establish a set of reporting criteria for Sector Risk Management Agencies to submit ransomware notifications to the System; and (2) take steps to harmonize the criteria described in paragraph (1) with the regulatory reporting requirements in effect on the date of enactment of this subtitle. (f) Protection from liability Section 106 of the Cybersecurity Act of 2015 ( 6 U.S.C. 1505 (g) Enforcement (1) Covered entities If a covered entity violates the requirements of this subtitle, the covered entity shall be subject to penalties determined by the Administrator of the General Services Administration, which may include removal from the Federal Contracting Schedules. (2) Federal agencies If a Federal agency violates the requirements of this subtitle, the violation shall be referred to the inspector general for the agency, and shall be treated as a matter of urgent concern. . (b) Table of contents The table of contents in section 1(b) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 ( Public Law 107–296 Subtitle D—Ransomware Operation Reporting Capabilities Sec. 2241. Definitions. Sec. 2242. Establishment of ransomware operation reporting system. Sec. 2243. Required notifications. . (c) Technical and conforming amendments Section 2202(c) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 ( 6 U.S.C. 652(c) (1) by redesignating the second and third paragraphs (12) as paragraphs (14) and (15), respectively; and (2) by inserting before paragraph (14), as so redesignated, the following: (13) carry out the responsibilities described in subtitle D relating to the ransomware operation reporting system; . 7. Duties of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (a) In general Subtitle A of title XXII of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 ( 6 U.S.C. 651 et seq. (1) by redesignating section 2217 ( 6 U.S.C. 665f (2) by redesignating section 2216 ( 6 U.S.C. 665e (3) by redesignating the fourth section 2215 (relating to Sector Risk Management Agencies) ( 6 U.S.C. 665d (4) by redesignating the third section 2215 (relating to the Cybersecurity State Coordinator) ( 6 U.S.C. 665c (5) by redesignating the second section 2215 (relating to the Joint Cyber Planning Office) ( 6 U.S.C. 665b (6) by adding after section 2220, as so redesignated, the following: 2220A. Information System and Network Security Fund (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Covered entity The term covered entity (2) Eligible entity The term eligible entity (A) means a covered entity; and (B) does not include an owner or operator of critical infrastructure that is not in compliance with the cybersecurity standards developed under section 2232(a). (3) Fund The term Fund (b) Information System and Network Security Fund (1) Establishment There is established in the Treasury of the United States a trust fund to be known as the Information System and Network Security Fund (2) Contents of Fund (A) In general The Fund shall consist of such amounts as may be appropriated for deposit in the Fund. (B) Availability (i) In general Amounts deposited in the Fund shall remain available through the end of the tenth fiscal year beginning after the date on which funds are first appropriated to the Fund. (ii) Remainder to treasury Any unobligated balances in the Fund after the date described in clause (i) are rescinded and shall be transferred to the general fund of the Treasury. (3) Use of fund (A) In general Amounts deposited in the Fund shall be available to the Director to distribute to eligible entities pursuant to this subsection, in such amounts as the Director determines appropriate, subject to subparagraph (B). (B) Distribution The amounts distributed to eligible entities under this paragraph shall be made for a specific network security purpose, including to enable network recovery from an event affecting the network cybersecurity of the eligible entity. (4) Administration of fund The Director, in consultation with the Secretary and in coordination with the head of each Sector Risk Management Agency, shall— (A) establish criteria for distribution of amounts under paragraph (3); and (B) administer the Fund to support network security for eligible entities. (5) Report required For each fiscal year for which amounts in the Fund are available under this subsection, the Director shall submit to Congress a report that— (A) describes how, and to which eligible entities, amounts from the Fund have been distributed; (B) details the criteria established under paragraph (4)(A); and (C) includes any additional information that the Director determines appropriate, including projected requested appropriations for the next fiscal year. (c) Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated for deposit in the Fund $1,500,000,000, which shall remain available until the last day of the tenth fiscal year beginning after the fiscal year during which funds are first appropriated for deposit in the Fund. 2220B. Public awareness of cybersecurity offerings (a) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of the Sanction and Stop Ransomware Act of 2021 (b) Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated to the Director $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2031 to carry out subsection (a). 2220C. Dark web analysis (a) Definition of dark web In this section, the term dark web (1) cannot be accessed through standard web browsers; and (2) requires specific software, configurations, or authorizations for access. (b) Authority To analyze The Director may monitor the internet, including the dark web, for evidence of a compromise to critical infrastructure. (c) Monitoring capabilities The Director shall develop, institute, and oversee capabilities to carry out the authority of the Director under subsection (b). (d) Notification If the Director finds credible evidence of a compromise to critical infrastructure under subsection (c), as soon as is practicable after the finding, the Director shall notify the owner or operator of the compromised critical infrastructure in a manner that protects the sources and methods that led to the finding of the compromise. . (b) Technical and conforming amendments Section 2202(c) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 ( 6 U.S.C. 652(c) (1) in the first paragraph (12), by striking section 2215 section 2217 (2) by redesignating the second and third paragraphs (12) as paragraphs (13) and (14), respectively. (c) Table of contents The table of contents in section 1(b) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 ( Public Law 107–296 Sec. 2214. National Asset Database. Sec. 2215. Duties and authorities relating to .gov internet domain. Sec. 2216. Joint Cyber Planning Office. Sec. 2217. Cybersecurity State Coordinator. Sec. 2218. Sector Risk Management Agencies. Sec. 2219. Cybersecurity Advisory Committee. Sec. 2220. Cybersecurity education and training programs. Sec. 2220A. Information System and Network Security Fund. Sec. 2220B. Public awareness of cybersecurity offerings. Sec. 2220C. Dark web analysis. . (d) Additional technical amendment (1) Amendment Section 904(b)(1) of the DOTGOV Act of 2020 (title IX of division U of Public Law 116–260 Homeland Security Act Homeland Security Act of 2002 (2) Effective date The amendment made by paragraph (1) shall take effect as if enacted as part of the DOTGOV Act of 2020 (title IX of division U of Public Law 116–260

Summary: Sanction and Stop Ransomware Act of 2021 This bill addresses ransomware threats to national security. Specifically, the bill requires the promulgation of mandatory cybersecurity standards for critical infrastructure entities; requires the instituting of regulatory requirements for cryptocurrency exchanges operating within the United States to reduce the anonymity of users and accounts suspected of ransomware activity; deems ransomware threats to critical infrastructure a national intelligence priority component to the National Intelligence Priorities Framework; and authorizes monitoring of the internet, including the dark web, for evidence of a compromise to critical infrastructure. The Department of State shall annually designate as a state sponsor of ransomware any country the government which has provided support for ransomware demand schemes (including by providing safe haven for individuals engaged in such schemes), and submit to Congress a report listing the designated countries. The National Intelligence Agency shall submit a report to specified congressional committees on the implications of the ransomware threat to national security. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) shall establish ransomware operation reporting capabilities to facilitate the submission of timely, secure, and confidential ransomware notifications by federal agencies and covered entities to CISA. In addition, CISA shall establish a public awareness campaign related to the cybersecurity services of the government. The bill also establishes the Information System and Network Security Fund. Any amounts in the fund may be distributed to eligible entities for a specific network security purpose, including to enable network recovery from an event affecting network cybersecurity.