DHS Industrial Control Systems Capabilities Enhancement Act of 2021

DHS Industrial Control Systems Capabilities Enhancement Act of 2021

This bill requires the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to maintain certain capabilities to identify and address threats to industrial control systems.

Specifically, the bill requires CISA's National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center to ensure that its activities address the security of both information and operational technology, including industrial control systems.

Additionally, CISA must maintain capabilities to identify and address threats and vulnerabilities to products and technologies intended for use in the automated control of critical infrastructure processes by (1) leading efforts to identify and mitigate cybersecurity threats to industrial control systems; (2) maintaining threat hunting and incident response capabilities to respond to cybersecurity risks and incidents; (3) providing cybersecurity technical assistance to stakeholders; and (4) collecting, coordinating, and providing vulnerability information to the industrial control systems community.

CISA shall provide to the homeland security committees a briefing on its industrial control systems capabilities at specified intervals.

The Government Accountability Office must review and report on implementation of the bill's requirements.

Bill 117 HR 1833, also known as the DHS Industrial Control Systems Capabilities Enhancement Act of 2021, aims to enhance the capabilities of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in securing industrial control systems (ICS) from cyber threats.

The bill requires the DHS to develop and implement a strategy to enhance the capabilities of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) in securing ICS. This includes conducting assessments of ICS vulnerabilities, providing technical assistance to critical infrastructure owners and operators, and coordinating with other federal agencies to address ICS security issues.

Additionally, the bill requires the DHS to establish a program to provide grants to state, local, tribal, and territorial governments to enhance their capabilities in securing ICS. These grants can be used for training, exercises, and other activities to improve ICS security at the local level. Overall, the DHS Industrial Control Systems Capabilities Enhancement Act of 2021 aims to strengthen the nation's cybersecurity defenses by enhancing the capabilities of the DHS in securing critical infrastructure systems from cyber threats.