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H.R. 1465House115th Congress (2017-2019)In Committee

National Cybersecurity Preparedness Consortium Act of 2017

Sponsored by Joaquin CastroRep. Joaquin Castro (D-TX)
Introduced March 9, 2017

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 15, 2026 at 1:33 PM UTC

The National Cybersecurity Preparedness Consortium Act of 2017 lets the Secretary of Homeland Security partner with nonprofit and academic groups that specialize in cybersecurity training. The partnership is meant to help state and local first responders, critical infrastructure owners, and private industry prepare for and respond to cyber threats, including those tied to terrorism. The program would run for five years and focuses on training, curriculum development, technical assistance, and information‑sharing support.

Key Provisions

  • Allows the DHS Secretary to work with a designated cybersecurity consortium (including the National Cybersecurity Preparedness Consortium) to address cyber risks and incidents.
  • Requires the consortium to assist the National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center by providing training, developing curricula, offering technical assistance, and running cross‑sector cyber‑security exercises.
  • Supports the creation of state and local cybersecurity information‑sharing programs and the integration of cyber‑risk response into existing emergency and continuity plans.
  • Mandates the Secretary to avoid duplicating existing DHS programs, to consider prior training experience and geographic diversity when selecting a consortium, and to measure the effectiveness of the consortium’s activities.
  • Calls for outreach to universities, including minority‑serving institutions, to encourage participation, and sets a five‑year sunset for the authority granted by the Act.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions
HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection.

Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection Subcommittee

March 22, 2017

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

March 9, 2017

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.

Homeland Security Committee

March 9, 2017

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection.

Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection Subcommittee

March 22, 2017

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued March 9, 2017

I

115th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 1465

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

March 9, 2017

Mr. Castro of Texas (for himself, Mr. Hurd, Mr. Doggett, Mr. Smith of Texas, and Mr. Cuellar) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Homeland Security

A BILL

To authorize the Secretary of Homeland Security to work with cybersecurity consortia for training, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the National Cybersecurity Preparedness Consortium Act of 2017.

2.

Definitions

In this Act—

(1)

the term consortium means a group primarily composed of nonprofit entities, including academic institutions, that develop, update, and deliver cybersecurity training in support of homeland security;

(2)

the terms cybersecurity risk and incident have the meanings given those terms in section 227(a) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 148(a));

(3)

the term Department means the Department of Homeland Security; and

(4)

the term Secretary means the Secretary of Homeland Security.

3.

National cybersecurity preparedness consortium

(a)

In general

The Secretary may work with a consortium, including the National Cybersecurity Preparedness Consortium, to support efforts to address cybersecurity risks and incidents, including threats of terrorism and acts of terrorism.

(b)

Assistance to the NCCIC

The Secretary may work with a consortium to assist the national cybersecurity and communications integration center of the Department (established under section 227 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 148)) to—

(1)

provide training to State and local first responders and officials specifically for preparing for and responding to cybersecurity risks and incidents, including threats of terrorism and acts of terrorism, in accordance with applicable law;

(2)

develop and update a curriculum utilizing existing programs and models in accordance with such section 227, for State and local first responders and officials, related to cybersecurity risks and incidents, including threats of terrorism and acts of terrorism;

(3)

provide technical assistance services to build and sustain capabilities in support of preparedness for and response to cybersecurity risks and incidents, including threats of terrorism and acts of terrorism, in accordance with such section 227;

(4)

conduct cross-sector cybersecurity training and simulation exercises for entities, including State and local governments, critical infrastructure owners and operators, and private industry, to encourage community-wide coordination in defending against and responding to cybersecurity risks and incidents, including threats of terrorism and acts of terrorism, in accordance with section 228(c) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 149(c));

(5)

help States and communities develop cybersecurity information sharing programs, in accordance with section 227 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 148), for the dissemination of homeland security information related to cybersecurity risks and incidents, including threats of terrorism and acts of terrorism; and

(6)

help incorporate cybersecurity risk and incident prevention and response (including related to threats of terrorism and acts of terrorism) into existing State and local emergency plans, including continuity of operations plans.

(c)

Prohibition on duplication

In carrying out the functions under subsection (b), the Secretary shall, to the greatest extent practicable, seek to prevent unnecessary duplication of existing programs or efforts of the Department.

(d)

Considerations regarding selection of a consortium

In selecting a consortium with which to work under this Act, the Secretary shall take into consideration the following:

(1)

Any prior experience conducting cybersecurity training and exercises for State and local entities.

(2)

Geographic diversity of the members of any such consortium so as to cover different regions throughout the United States.

(e)

Metrics

If the Secretary works with a consortium under subsection (a), the Secretary shall measure the effectiveness of the activities undertaken by the consortium under this Act.

(f)

Outreach

The Secretary shall conduct outreach to universities and colleges, including historically Black colleges and universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, Tribal Colleges and Universities, and other minority-serving institutions, regarding opportunities to support efforts to address cybersecurity risks and incidents, including threats of terrorism and acts of terrorism, by working with the Secretary under subsection (a).

(g)

Termination

The authority to carry out this Act shall terminate on the date that is five years after the date of the enactment of this Act.