Federal Information Security Amendments Act of 2012

Bill: 112-hr-4257
Sponsor: Rep. Issa, Darrell E. [R-CA-49]
Introduced: 2012-03-26 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Computer security and identity theft
Computers and information technology
Government information and archives
Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information

Summary:
action_date: 2012-03-26
text: 
Federal Information Security Amendments Act of 2012 - Amends the Federal Information Security Management Act of 2002 (FISMA) to reestablish the oversight authority of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) with respect to agency information and security policies and practices.
 
Expands the term &quot;information security&quot; to include authentication. Defines &quot;authentication&quot; as the use of digital credentials to assure users' identities and validate access.
 
Extends the security requirements of federal agencies to include responsibilities for: (1) ensuring complementary and uniform standards for information systems and national security systems, (2) securing facilities for classified information, and (3) maintaining sufficient personnel with security clearances.
 
Directs senior agency officials to continuously conduct risk-commensurate: (1) testing and evaluation of information of security controls and techniques, and (2) threat assessments by monitoring information infrastructure and identifying potential system vulnerabilities. (Current law requires only periodic testing and evaluation.)
 
Directs agencies to determine information security levels in accordance with information security classifications and standards promulgated under the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act.
 
Directs agencies to collaborate with OMB and appropriate public and private sector security operations centers on security incidents that extend beyond the control of an agency. Requires that security incidents be reported to the appropriate security operations center and agency Inspector General through an automated and continuous monitoring capability.
 
Requires each agency to delegate to its Chief Information Officer the authority and primary responsibility for developing, implementing, and overseeing an agencywide information security (AIS) program.
 
Directs agencies to implement an OMB-approved AIS program that is consistent with components across and within agencies. Requires that such program include automated and continuous monitoring to: (1) mitigate risks associated with security incidents before substantial damage is done; and (2) notify and consult with appropriate security operations response centers, law enforcement agencies, Inspectors General, and other entities or as directed by the President.

action_date: 2012-04-26
text: 
Federal Information Security Amendments Act of 2012 - (Sec. 2) Amends the Federal Information Security Management Act of 2002 (FISMA) to reestablish the oversight authority of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) with respect to agency information and security policies and practices.
 
Extends the security requirements of federal agencies to include responsibilities for: (1) complying with computer standards developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), (2) ensuring complementary and uniform standards for information systems and national security systems, (3) ensuring that information security management processes are integrated with budget processes, (4) securing facilities for classified information, (5) maintaining sufficient personnel with security clearances, and (6) ensuring that information security performance indicators are included in the annual performance evaluations of all managers, senior managers, senior executive service personnel, and political appointees.
 
Directs senior agency officials, with a frequency sufficient to support risk-based security decisions, to: (1) test and evaluate information security controls and techniques, and (2) conduct threat assessments by monitoring information systems and identifying potential system vulnerabilities. (Current law requires only periodic testing and evaluation.)
 
Defines &quot;information system&quot; as a discrete set of information resources organized for the collection, processing, maintenance, use, sharing, dissemination, or disposition of information. Includes in such definition: (1) computers and computer networks; (2) ancillary equipment; (3) software, firmware, and related procedures; (4) support services; and (5) related resources and services.
 
Directs agencies to determine information security levels in accordance with information security classifications and standards promulgated under the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act.
 
Directs agencies to collaborate with OMB and appropriate public and private sector security operations centers on security incidents that extend beyond the control of an agency. Requires that security incidents be reported, through an automated and continuous monitoring capability, when possible, to the federal information security incident center (the incident center), appropriate security operations centers, and agency Inspector General.
 
Directs agencies to conduct vulnerability assessments and penetration tests commensurate with the risk posed to agency information systems.
 
Requires each agency to delegate to its Chief Information Officer the authority and primary responsibility for developing, implementing, and overseeing an agencywide information security (AIS) program.
 
Directs agencies to implement an OMB-approved AIS program that is consistent with components across and within agencies. Requires that such program include automated and continuous monitoring, when possible, to: (1) mitigate risks associated with security incidents before substantial damage is done; and (2) notify and consult with the incident center, appropriate security operations response centers, law enforcement agencies, Inspectors General, and other entities or as directed by the President.
 
Directs the OMB Director to review and approve information security policies and procedures to ensure that the incident center has the capability to detect, correlate, and respond to incidents that impair the security of multiple agencies' information systems. Requires the capability, where practicable, to be continuous and technically automated.
 
(Sec. 4) Specifies that no additional funds are authorized for agencies to carry out their responsibilities under this Act. Requires agencies to carry out such responsibilities using amounts otherwise authorized or appropriated.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-05-07
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2012-04-26
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2012-04-26
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2187-2189)
action_date: 2012-04-26
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H2187-2189)
action_date: 2012-04-26
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4257.
action_date: 2012-04-26
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2187-2189)
action_date: 2012-04-26
text: Mr. Issa moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2012-04-26
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 318.
action_date: 2012-04-26
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. H. Rept. 112-455.
action_date: 2012-04-26
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. H. Rept. 112-455.
action_date: 2012-04-18
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended).
action_date: 2012-04-18
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2012-03-26
text: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
action_date: 2012-03-26
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-03-26
text: Introduced in House