NTIA Policy and Cybersecurity Coordination Act
This bill would create a new Office of Policy Development and Cybersecurity within the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). The office would be led by an Associate Administrator who would report to the NTIA Assistant Secretary. Its job would be to analyze and develop national policy for the internet and communications technologies, with a strong emphasis on cybersecurity, privacy, and innovation. Key duties include promoting market-based policies that foster innovation and digital inclusion, conducting studies on how Americans access and use digital services, coordinating multistakeholder processes to advise on cybersecurity and privacy, encouraging collaboration between security researchers and providers, and supporting efforts to strengthen network security and supply chain resilience. The bill also directs the office to provide data and research publicly when appropriate, and to work with small businesses and rural communities through interagency coordination with the Department of Commerce and other federal partners. Transitional provisions rename the current NTIA policy analysis office to reflect the new title and ensure continued service.
Key Points
- 1Establishes the Office of Policy Development and Cybersecurity within NTIA, headed by an Associate Administrator who reports to the Assistant Secretary.
- 2Duties include:
- 3- developing and advocating market-based policies to boost innovation, competition, digital inclusion, workforce development, and economic growth in communications, media, and technology;
- 4- conducting studies on how Americans access and use the internet, telephony, media, and digital services;
- 5- coordinating multistakeholder processes to create guidance for cybersecurity and privacy;
- 6- promoting collaboration between security researchers and service/software providers;
- 7- supporting efforts to prevent future vulnerabilities and strengthen network security and supply chains;
- 8- presenting cybersecurity policy efforts to Congress, the Commission, and others when directed;
- 9- providing policy advice to the NTIA head on cybersecurity matters and related assessments;
- 10- identifying barriers to trust and innovation and proposing ways to overcome them;
- 11- sharing relevant data and research with the public, while protecting classified information;
- 12- coordinating innovation and commercialization policies across the Department of Commerce and with state governments and the Commission, especially for small businesses and rural communities;
- 13- soliciting feedback from small and rural communications providers.
- 14Interagency and stakeholder coordination emphasis, including collaboration with the Department of Commerce, state government agencies, the Commission (likely the FCC), and other federal bodies.
- 15Transitional provisions rename and re-designate the existing NTIA associate administrator role to Associate Administrator for Policy Development and Cybersecurity, ensuring continuity of service.
- 16Short title: NTIA Policy and Cybersecurity Coordination Act.