S. 2083Senate115th Congress (2017-2019)In Committee

Strengthening Cybersecurity Information Sharing and Coordination in Our Ports Act of 2017

Introduced November 7, 2017

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 15, 2026 at 6:57 PM UTC

The Strengthening Cybersecurity Information Sharing and Coordination in Our Ports Act of 2017 directs the Department of Homeland Security to improve how cyber risks at U.S. ports are assessed, reported, and managed. It creates a maritime cybersecurity risk‑assessment model, sets up regular reviews, and expands information‑sharing among federal, state, local, tribal, and private maritime stakeholders. The bill also requires port‑related security plans to include specific cyber‑risk mitigation measures.

Key Provisions

  • The Secretary of Homeland Security must develop a maritime cybersecurity risk‑assessment model within 120 days, using the NIST cybersecurity framework, and evaluate its effectiveness at least every two years.
  • At least one maritime information‑sharing organization must participate in the National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center.
  • Guidelines will be established for voluntary reporting of maritime cyber‑risk incidents to the Center and other federal agencies.
  • The National Maritime Security Advisory Committee will advise on improving cyber‑risk information sharing among federal agencies, state/local/tribal governments, public safety, law‑enforcement, the maritime industry, port owners, and terminal operators.
  • Area Maritime Security Advisory Committees must facilitate cyber‑risk sharing and may form working groups to address port‑specific vulnerabilities.
  • All maritime security and vessel/facility security plans must include a mitigation plan for preventing, managing, and responding to cyber‑security risks.
  • Title 46 of the U.S. Code is amended to insert “cybersecurity” alongside physical security and to require cyber‑risk prevention, management, and response in security plan provisions.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action
SenateIntro Referral Latest Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

November 7, 2017

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

November 7, 2017

SenateIntro Referral

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

November 7, 2017

Bill Text

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Latest
Introduced in SenateIssued November 7, 2017

II

115th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. 2083

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

November 7, 2017

Ms. Harris (for herself and Mr. Sullivan) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

A BILL

To enhance cybersecurity information sharing and coordination at ports in the United States, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Strengthening Cybersecurity Information Sharing and Coordination in Our Ports Act of 2017.

2.

Improving cybersecurity risk assessments, information sharing, and coordination

The Secretary of Homeland Security shall—

(1)

develop and implement a maritime cybersecurity risk assessment model within 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, consistent with the National Institute of Standards and Technology Framework for Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity and any update to that document pursuant to Public Law 113–274, to evaluate current and future cybersecurity risks (as such term is defined in section 227 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 148));

(2)

evaluate, on a periodic basis but not less often than once every 2 years, the effectiveness of the maritime cybersecurity risk assessment model under paragraph (1);

(3)

seek to ensure participation of at least one information sharing and analysis organization (as such term is defined in section 212 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 131)) representing the maritime community in the National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center, pursuant to subsection (d)(1)(B) of section 227 of such Act;

(4)

establish guidelines for voluntary reporting of maritime-related cybersecurity risks and incidents (as such terms are defined in section 227 of such Act) to the Center (as such term is defined subsection (b) of such section 227), and other appropriate Federal agencies; and

(5)

request the National Maritime Security Advisory Committee established under section 70112 of title 46, United States Code, to report and make recommendations to the Secretary on enhancing the sharing of information related to cybersecurity risks and incidents, consistent with the responsibilities of the Center, between relevant Federal agencies and—

(A)

State, local, and tribal governments;

(B)

relevant public safety and emergency response agencies;

(C)

relevant law enforcement and security organizations;

(D)

maritime industry;

(E)

port owners and operators; and

(F)

terminal owners and operators.

3.

Cybersecurity enhancements to maritime security activities

The Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through the Commandant of the Coast Guard, shall direct—

(1)

each Area Maritime Security Advisory Committee established under section 70112 of title 46, United States Code, to facilitate the sharing of cybersecurity risks and incidents to address port-specific cybersecurity risks, which may include the establishment of a working group of members of Area Maritime Security Advisory Committees to address port-specific cybersecurity vulnerabilities; and

(2)

that any area maritime transportation security plan and any vessel or facility security plan required under section 70103 of title 46, United States Code, approved after the development of the cybersecurity risk assessment model required by paragraph (1) of section 2 include a mitigation plan to prevent, manage, and respond to cybersecurity risks (as such term is defined in section 227 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 148)).

4.

Vulnerability assessments and security plans

Title 46, United States Code, is amended—

(1)

in section 70102(b)(1)(C), by inserting cybersecurity, after physical security,; and

(2)

in section 70103(c)(3)(C), by striking and after the semicolon at the end of clause (iv), by redesignating clause (v) as clause (vi), and by inserting after clause (iv) the following:

(v)

prevention, management, and response to cybersecurity risks; and

.