Hack DHS Act

To establish a bug bounty pilot program within the Department of Homeland Security, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Hack the Department of Homeland Security Act of 2017 Hack DHS Act 2. Department of Homeland Security bug bounty pilot program (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Bug bounty program The term bug bounty program (2) Department The term Department (3) Information system The term information system (4) Pilot program The term pilot program (5) Secretary The term Secretary (b) Establishment of pilot program (1) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a bug bounty pilot program to minimize vulnerabilities to the information systems of the Department. (2) Requirements In establishing the pilot program, the Secretary shall— (A) provide monetary compensations for reports of previously unidentified security vulnerabilities within the websites, applications, and other information systems of the Department that are accessible to the public; (B) develop an expeditious process by which computer security researchers can register for the pilot program, submit to a background check as determined by the Department, and receive a determination as to approval for participation in the pilot program; (C) designate mission-critical operations within the Department that should be excluded from the pilot program; (D) consult with the Attorney General on how to ensure that computer security specialists and security researchers who participate in the pilot program are protected from prosecution under section 1030 of title 18, United States Code, and similar statues for specific activities authorized under the pilot program; (E) consult with the relevant offices at the Department of Defense that were responsible for launching the 2016 Hack the Pentagon (F) award competitive contracts as necessary to manage the pilot program and for executing the remediation of vulnerabilities identified as a consequence of the pilot program; and (G) engage interested persons, to include commercial sector representatives, about the structure of the pilot program as constructive and to the extent practicable. (c) Report Not later than 90 days after the date on which the pilot program is completed, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives a report on the pilot program, which shall include— (1) the number of computer security researchers who registered, were approved, submitted security vulnerabilities, and received monetary compensation; (2) the number and severity of previously unidentified vulnerabilities reported as part of the pilot program; (3) the number of previously unidentified security vulnerabilities remediated as a result of the pilot program; (4) the average length of time between the reporting of security vulnerabilities and remediation of the vulnerabilities; (5) the average amount of money paid per unique vulnerability submitted and the total amount of money paid to security researchers under the pilot program; and (6) the lessons learned from the pilot program. (d) Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated to the Department $250,000 for fiscal year 2018 to carry out this Act.

Summary: Hack the Department of Homeland Security Act of 2017 or the Hack DHS Act This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish a bug bounty pilot program to minimize vulnerabilities to DHS information systems. "Bug bounty program" is a program under which an approved computer security specialist or security researcher is temporarily authorized to identify and report vulnerabilities within DHS information systems in exchange for cash payment. Under such program, DHS shall: provide monetary compensation for reports of previously unidentified security vulnerabilities within the websites, applications, and other DHS information systems that are accessible to the public; develop an expeditious process by which computer security researchers can register for the program, submit to a background check, and receive a determination as to approval for program participation; designate mission-critical operations within DHS that should be excluded; consult with the Department of Justice on how to ensure that program participants are protected from prosecution for activities authorized under the program; award competitive contracts to manage the program and for executing the remediation of identified vulnerabilities; and engage interested persons, including commercial sector representatives, about the structure of the program.