Infrastructure Bill Allocates Nearly $2 Billion to Cybersecurity
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4.Infrastructure Bill Allocates Nearly $2 Billion to Cybersecurity
On Tuesday, the U.S. Senate approved a $1 trillion infrastructure package, which it has passed along to the House for approval. The package includes a variety of bills that allocate spending toward critical infrastructure, including roads, railways, bridges, electric vehicles, and telecom companies. The package also allocates more than $1.9 billion toward cybersecurity. The move reflects a bipartisan consensus that cybersecurity is an integral part of the nation’s infrastructure. Dozens of cyber-related bills have been introduced, passed out of committee, or approved by one chamber, with nearly all having cross-party support.
That $1.9 billion, according to The Hill, will help secure “critical infrastructure against attacks, helping vulnerable organizations defend themselves and providing funding for a key federal cyber office, among other initiatives.”
At least half of that $1.9 billion would go toward assisting state and local governments beef up their cybersecurity over the course of four years. The funds would be distributed via a grant program–the State and Local Cybersecurity Improvement Act–overseen by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). While a similar version of the bill, introduced by Representative Clarke (D-NY-9) passed through the House in July, lawmakers are intent are ensuring its inclusion in the infrastructure package.
The DHS secretary would also have additional funds to respond to attacks on critical infrastructures and organizations–like the Colonial Pipeline–via an additional bill, the Cyber Response and Recovery Act (CRRA). CRRA would provide a $100 million fund to be used by DHS over five years when responding to such incidents.
Meanwhile, an additional $35 million would be given to DHS’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency to invest in “sector risk management,” and $150 million would go to DHS’s Science Directorate for investments in cybersecurity and research. The package also allocates $600 million to the Department of Energy in an effort to enhance cybersecurity for the energy grid and other energy infrastructure.
The White House’s inaugural cyber director office would receive $21 million in funding over five years. Former National Security Agency Deputy Director Chris Inglis was confirmed to serve as the first National Cyber Director in June.