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Cybersecurity in Agriculture Act of 2023
12/15/2023, 3:59 PM
Summary of Bill HR 4387
The key provisions of the bill include:
1. Establishing a task force within the Department of Agriculture to assess cybersecurity risks in the agriculture sector and develop strategies to mitigate these risks. 2. Providing grants to agricultural organizations and businesses to improve their cybersecurity infrastructure and capabilities. 3. Promoting information sharing and collaboration between government agencies, industry stakeholders, and cybersecurity experts to enhance the overall cybersecurity posture of the agriculture industry. 4. Enhancing training and education programs to increase awareness of cybersecurity best practices among farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural workers. Overall, the Cybersecurity in Agriculture Act of 2023 seeks to strengthen the cybersecurity defenses of the agriculture industry and safeguard the nation's food supply chain from potential cyber threats. By promoting collaboration and information sharing, the bill aims to create a more resilient and secure agricultural sector in the face of evolving cybersecurity challenges.
Congressional Summary of HR 4387
Cybersecurity in Agriculture Act of 2023
This bill directs the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) to establish an agriculture cybersecurity program. Under the program, NIFA must provide grants to or enter into cooperative agreements with eligible entities to establish a network of five Regional Agriculture Cybersecurity Centers to carry out research, development, and education on agriculture cybersecurity related to seed agriculture, horticulture, animal agriculture, and the agriculture supply chain.
An eligible entity is a college or university that has programs in food and agriculture sciences and cybersecurity that coordinate regional industry partners, cooperatives, government authorities, and other stakeholders to (1) strengthen security, privacy, and resiliency; (2) bolster the independent networks; and (3) develop a skilled workforce.
The program must also establish a national network of such regional centers and designate one college or university to coordinate the national network's activities.