Information and Communication Technology Strategy Act
The Information and Communication Technology Strategy Act would require the Secretary of Commerce (acting through the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information) to create a government-wide plan to strengthen the United States’ economic competitiveness in the information and communication technology (ICT) supply chain. Within one year, the Secretary must produce a report identifying the ICT components critical to U.S. competitiveness, assess the capacity of U.S. and “trusted” vendors to supply that ICT, evaluate any dependence on ICT from vendors deemed not trusted, and outline actions and resources needed to bolster trusted vendors. The Secretary would then develop a “whole-of-Government” strategy, detailing lines of effort, agency responsibilities, and potential legal or program changes necessary to implement recommendations, accompanied by a second strategy report within 180 days after the initial report. The act emphasizes consultation with a cross-section of trusted ICT vendors and several federal agencies (and others as needed). Definitions pin down terms like “trusted,” “not trusted,” and “trusted ICT vendor,” tying them to existing security determinations.
Key Points
- 1Quick, two-stage process: a baseline report within 1 year identifying critical ICT and vendor capacity; followed by a whole-of-Government strategy with a second report within 180 days.
- 2Focus on “trusted” ICT vendors: the bill seeks to strengthen federal support, resources, and authorities to boost trusted U.S. ICT vendors and reduce reliance on not-trusted vendors.
- 3Dependence assessment: the report must analyze whether U.S. providers of advanced telecommunications capability rely on ICT from not-trusted sources and to what extent.
- 4Policy actions and resources: the strategy must specify actions the federal government should take, the agency lines of effort, and any required changes to laws, programs, or government structures, plus the resources needed.
- 5Consultation and coordination: requires input from a cross-section of trusted ICT vendors and several federal departments/agencies (State, Homeland Security, Attorney General, DNI, FCC, etc.).