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117-s-2629117th Congress

Better Cybercrime Metrics Act

Sponsored By: Senator Schatz, Brian [D-HI]

Became Law

Summary

Standardized federal cybercrime taxonomy to classify and measure cybercrime across agencies and improve data and victim reporting. It directs the Attorney General to work with the National Academy of Sciences to build the taxonomy and align new categories with law enforcement reporting and victim surveys.

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  • Creates a dedicated cybercrime category in the National Incident-Based Reporting System within 2 years so federal, state, and local agencies report consistently.
  • Adds cybercrime questions to the National Crime Victimization Survey within 540 days and authorizes $2.0 million to carry out that survey work.
  • Directs the National Academy of Sciences to submit a taxonomy report within 1 year and authorizes $1.0 million for that effort. The Government Accountability Office must assess reporting effectiveness and data gaps.

*Authorizes about $3.0 million in appropriations, increasing federal spending authority by roughly $3.0 million.*

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Independent review of cybercrime reporting

The Government Accountability Office must report to Congress within 180 days of enactment. The report checks how well cybercrime reporting systems work and how their data compares to other crime data. This supports oversight and highlights gaps to fix.

Standard cybercrime reporting for law enforcement

The law sets standard terms to classify cybercrime. Within 90 days of enactment, the Attorney General must seek an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences to develop a taxonomy. NAS must consult CISA, police, academics, experts, and business, and report to Congress within 1 year after the agreement. Within 2 years of enactment, the Attorney General must add a cybercrime category to the FBI’s incident reporting system and use the taxonomy’s advice. The law authorizes $1 million for this work.

Survey now tracks cybercrime victims

The Bureau of Justice Statistics and the Census Bureau must add cybercrime victim questions to the National Crime Victimization Survey within 540 days of enactment. This measures how households and people are hit by online crimes. The law provides $2 million to carry this out.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Schatz, Brian [D-HI]

HI • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Tillis, Thomas [R-NC]

    NC • R

    Sponsored 8/5/2021

  • Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]

    TX • R

    Sponsored 8/5/2021

  • Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]

    CT • D

    Sponsored 8/5/2021

  • Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 10/26/2021

  • Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 12/7/2021

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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