6 U.S.C. § 661: Cybersecurity strategy

Summary

The Secretary must create a departmental cybersecurity strategy within 90 days after December 23, 2016. It must set goals and describe the programs, policies, and actions needed for the Secretary’s cybersecurity duties, covering the functions in section 659, investigation abilities, research and development, and working with international partners. The Secretary must consider the November 2011 DHS cybersecurity strategy, the DHS Fiscal Years 2014–2018 Strategic Plan, and the most recent Quadrennial Homeland Security Review, and should, when possible, say which DHS offices will carry out each part. Within 90 days after finishing the strategy, the Secretary must issue an implementation plan with objectives, tasks, timelines, cost estimates, and performance measures. Both the strategy and the implementation plan must be sent to Congress when issued, with any related legislative or budget proposals. The main strategy must be unclassified but may include a classified annex. Nothing in the law allows the Department to monitor, surveil, exfiltrate, or collect an individual’s personally identifiable information to track them.

Title 6, §661

Domestic Security, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)In general

Not later than 90 days after December 23, 2016, the Secretary shall develop a departmental strategy to carry out cybersecurity responsibilities as set forth in law.

(b)Contents

The strategy required under subsection (a) shall include the following:

(1)Strategic and operational goals and priorities to successfully execute the full range of the Secretary’s cybersecurity responsibilities.

(2)Information on the programs, policies, and activities that are required to successfully execute the full range of the Secretary’s cybersecurity responsibilities, including programs, policies, and activities in furtherance of the following:

(A)Cybersecurity functions set forth in section 659 of this title (relating to the national cybersecurity and communications integration center).

(B)Cybersecurity investigations capabilities.

(C)Cybersecurity research and development.

(D)Engagement with international cybersecurity partners.

(c)Considerations

In developing the strategy required under subsection (a), the Secretary shall—

(1)consider—

(A)the cybersecurity strategy for the Homeland Security Enterprise published by the Secretary in November 2011;

(B)the Department of Homeland Security Fiscal Years 2014–2018 Strategic Plan; and

(C)the most recent Quadrennial Homeland Security Review issued pursuant to section 347 of this title; and

(2)include information on the roles and responsibilities of components and offices of the Department, to the extent practicable, to carry out such strategy.

(d)Implementation plan

Not later than 90 days after the development of the strategy required under subsection (a), the Secretary shall issue an implementation plan for the strategy that includes the following:

(1)Strategic objectives and corresponding tasks.

(2)Projected timelines and costs for such tasks.

(3)Metrics to evaluate performance of such tasks.

(e)Congressional oversight

The Secretary shall submit to Congress for assessment the following:

(1)A copy of the strategy required under subsection (a) upon issuance.

(2)A copy of the implementation plan required under subsection (d) upon issuance, together with detailed information on any associated legislative or budgetary proposals.

(f)Classified information

The strategy required under subsection (a) shall be in an unclassified form but may contain a classified annex.

(g)Rule of construction

Nothing in this section may be construed as permitting the Department to engage in monitoring, surveillance, exfiltration, or other collection activities for the purpose of tracking an individual’s personally identifiable information.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Codification Section was formerly classified to section 149a of this title prior to renumbering by Pub. L. 115–278.

Amendments

2022—Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 117–263 struck out subsec. (h). Text read as follows: “In this section, the term ‘Homeland Security Enterprise’ means relevant governmental and nongovernmental entities involved in homeland security, including Federal, State, local, and tribal government officials, private sector representatives, academics, and other policy experts.” 2018—Subsec. (b)(2)(A). Pub. L. 115–278, § 2(g)(9)(A)(v), substituted “section 659 of this title” for “the section 148 of this title”.

§661 Cybersecurity Strategy

Summary

Title 6, §661

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Citations & Metadata