Study on Cyber-Attack Response Options Act

Bill: 117-s-2292
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Daines, Steve [R-MT]
Introduced: 2021-06-24
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Latest action: action_date: 2021-06-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Summaries:
action_date: 2021-06-24
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p><strong>Study on Cyber-Attack Response Options Act</strong></p> <p>This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security to study and report on the potential benefits and risks of amending the federal statute commonly known as the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act to allow private entities to respond to an unlawful network breach, subject to federal regulation and oversight. </p> <p>The Computer Fraud and Abuse Act prohibits various categories of computer-related conduct by an individual without authority or in excess of authorization. </p>

tv_txt: II 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 2292 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES June 24, 2021 Mr. Daines (for himself and Mr. Whitehouse ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs A BILL To require the Secretary of Homeland Security to study the potential consequences and benefits of amending the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act to allow private companies to take proportional actions in response to an unlawful network breach.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Study on Cyber-Attack Response Options Act . 2. Study relating to consequences and benefits of amending the CFAA (a) Study The Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with other Federal agencies as appropriate, shall conduct a study on the potential benefits and risks of amending section 1030 of title 18, United States Code (commonly known as the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act ), to allow private entities to take proportional actions in response to an unlawful network breach, subject to oversight and regulation by a designated Federal agency. (b) Report (1) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall submit a report on the findings of the study conducted under subsection (a), including any recommendations, to Congress. (2) Required contents The report required under paragraph (1) shall— (A) address any impact on national security and foreign affairs; and (B) include recommendations for— (i) which Federal agency or agencies may authorize proportional actions by private entities; (ii) what level of certainty regarding the identity of the attacker is needed before such actions would be authorized; (iii) which entities would be allowed to take such actions and under what circumstances; (iv) what actions would be permissible; and (v) what safeguards should be in place.