Department of Veterans Affairs Cyber Security Protection Act

To amend title 38, United States Code, to make certain improvements in the information security of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Department of Veterans Affairs Cyber Security Protection Act 2. Department of Veterans Affairs information security improvements (a) Submittal of quarterly information security report to Congress Paragraph (14) of subsection (b) of section 5723 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by inserting and to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives to the Secretary (b) Plan for addressing known information security vulnerabilities Such subsection is further amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (17) Submitting to the Chairs and Ranking Members of the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives, by not later than 30 days after the last day of each fiscal quarter, a summary of any plans of action and milestones for any known information security vulnerability, as identified pursuant to a widely accepted industry or Government standard, that includes— (A) specific information about the industry or Government standard used to identify the known information security vulnerability; (B) a detailed timeline with specific deadlines for addressing the known information security vulnerability; and (C) an update of any previously specified timeline and the rationale for any deviations from such timeline. . (c) Plan for replacing outdated operating systems Such subsection is further amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (18) Submitting to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives, by not later than January 1 of each year, a plan for identifying and replacing operating systems of the Department that are unsupported and that includes— (A) in the case of an operating system other than an operating system covered under subparagraph (C), requirements that the operating system be removed from the network of the Department no later than 15 days after the date on which the operating system is identified as being out-of-date or unsupported; (B) information concerning the number of systems so identified during the year preceding the year in which the report is submitted, when each such system was so identified, and when each system so identified was removed from the network of the Department; and (C) in the case of an operating system the Secretary determines is essential for the proper operation of any medical device or equipment, a description of the operating system and a detailed discussion of steps taken to ensure the security of the operating system. . (d) Software security Such subsection is further amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (19) Ensuring that any software or Internet applications used on systems by the Department are as secure as practicable from any known vulnerabilities that could affect the confidentiality of sensitive personal information of veterans. . (e) Third party validation Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a report on third party validation of Department of Veterans Affairs security. Such report shall include— (1) a description of any steps the Secretary has taken to provide for a systemic and ongoing evaluation of the information security of the Department by a non-Department entity; and (2) a description of any steps the Secretary plans to take to provide for such evaluation. 3. Information technology reporting requirements (a) In general Chapter 57 (1) by redesignating sections 5727 and 5728 as sections 5729 and 5730, respectively; and (2) by inserting after section 5726 the following new sections: 5727. Reporting requirements Not later than 30 days after the last day of each fiscal quarter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a report that includes the following information for that fiscal quarter: (1) A detailed description of any incidents of failure to comply with established information security policies that occurred during that quarter. (2) Any actions taken in response to such an incident. (3) Any reports made under paragraphs (8) through (10) of subsection (b) of section 5723 of this title during that quarter. (4) Written certification that the requirements of section 5722(c) of this title were followed during that quarter. (5) A detailed discussion of whether each recommendation made by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the Office of Management and Budget, or the Department of Homeland Security relating to information security have been implemented by the Department, and if not, an explanation of why such recommendation was not implemented. (6) Steps taken to ensure the security of the Veterans Health Information Systems and Technology Architecture of the Department that allows for an integrated inpatient and outpatient electronic health record for patients and provides administrative tools to employees of the Department taken during that quarter. 5728. Information security strategic plan (a) Plan required Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a strategic plan for improving the information security and information technology infrastructure of the Department. Such plan shall address— (1) an information security plan for protecting the sensitive personal information of veterans while not unduly interfering with the ability of the Department to provide benefits and services to veterans and their dependents; (2) how the Department can improve its compliance with information security requirements; (3) training and recruitment of employees with the necessary expertise and abilities in information security; and (4) the institutional capability of the Department to address information security threats and to implement best practices related to information security. (b) Biannual updates The Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives biannual updates to the plan required by subsection (a). . (b) Clerical amendments The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by striking the items relating to sections 5727 and 5728 and inserting the following new items: 5727. Reporting requirements. 5728. Information security strategic plan. 5729. Definitions. 5730. Authorization of appropriations. . 4. Requirements for Department of Veterans Affairs contracts for data processing or maintenance (a) In general Section 5725(a) of title 38, United States Code, is amended— (1) in paragraph (2), by striking the period and inserting ; and (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (3) the contractor shall provide protective measures to safeguard from possible information security threats any information provided by the Department that will be resident on or transiting through information systems controlled by the contractor. . (b) Applicability Paragraph (3) of section 5725(a) of title 38, United States Code, shall apply with respect to a contract entered into after the date of the enactment of this Act. 5. Report on departmental organization and response to information security incidents Not later than five years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a report on information security protection and the accountability of the Department of Veterans Affairs for information security breeches and incidents. Such report shall include— (1) a discussion of any organizational changes that could be made within the Department to provide for an increased level of information security protection for veterans; (2) a discussion of any organizational changes that could be made within the Department to provide for greater accountability and responsibility for information security; and (3) a plan to develop a system of better assigning costs associated with data breeches and information security incidents, including the costs associated with notifications and credit monitoring services, where applicable, to the offices and subdivisions of the Department responsible for such breeches and incidents.

Summary: Department of Veterans Affairs Cyber Security Protection Act Directs the Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Information and Technology to submit to the congressional veterans committees (under current law only to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs) quarterly reports on Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) compliance with federally-required information security improvements. Directs the Assistant Secretary to submit to such committees: (1) quarterly, a plan of action to address critical known VA information security vulnerabilities; and (2) annually, a plan for identifying and replacing VA operating systems that are out-of-date or unsupported. Directs the Assistant Secretary to ensure that any software or Internet applications used on VA operating systems are secure from vulnerabilities that could affect the confidentiality of sensitive personal information on veterans. Directs the Secretary to: report quarterly to such committees on any incidents of failure to comply with established information security policies, any actions taken in response to such incidents, and certain related information; submit a strategic plan to such committees for improving VA information security and to update such plan at least every two years; and report to such committees within five years on information security protection and accountability of the VA for information security breeches and incidents. Requires VA contractors with access to sensitive personal information to provide protective measures to safeguard from possible information security threats any information provided by the VA that will be resident on, or transiting through, information systems controlled by that contractor.