New bill enlists National Guard to play in cyber attack response efforts
(Washington DC – April 22, 2013) U.S. Representative Richard Hanna, with Reps. Steve Israel (D-NY), Allyson Schwartz (D-PA), William Enyart (D-IL) and Steven Palazzo (R-MS) introduced bipartisan legislation, the Cyber Warrior Act of 2013, that would ramp up the National Guard’s cyber defense capabilities by establishing a Cyber and Computer Network Incident Response Team (CCNIRT) in every state and the District of Columbia, allowing the Guard to aid in responding to cyber attacks.
Last month, Army Gen. Keith Alexander, who leads U.S. Cyber Command, told Congress that cyber attacks from terrorists and criminals are growing. However, the institutions charged with responding and preparing for cyber attacks are short of the cyber experts they need. According to Alan Paller of the SANS Institute, the Pentagon alone is short by about 10,000 cyber experts with only 2,000 currently in place.
The Cyber Warrior Act of 2013 would create CCNIRTs in every state and the District of Columbia that would include both Active and Traditional Guard Members. This would allow the Guard to bolster existing capabilities and leverage the unique expertise of those Guardsmen who already hold IT and security positions in the private sector to boost our nation’s cyber defenses. The bill would allow for a governor or Secretary of Defense to activate a CCNIRT in times of need, as well as allow Governors to ask their National Guard to help train state and local law enforcement and other cyber responders in cybersecurity and develop best practices. Finally, as part of the legislation, the Secretary of Defense would be required to report on how to attract and retain cyber warriors and the training requirements and physical demands in the field of cyber defense.
“Cyber attacks are among the most dangerous threats our nation faces today,” Rep. Hanna said. “Our 21st century security needs require a properly trained and enlisted force available to protect America’s digital infrastructure. National Guard units are particularly well-suited to take on an active role for this new mission and support ongoing federal, state and local cyber efforts. I am pleased to help lead this initiative with a bipartisan group of colleagues, and I look forward to a Cyber and Computer Network Incident Response Team being stood up in New York State soon.”
“Cyber attacks have moved from science fiction to tangible threats to our infrastructure,” Rep. Israel said. “The National Guard should provide assistance in the wake of a cyber attack just as they do when a hurricane or other natural disaster strikes. This legislation allows the states to harness the expertise of individuals already in the Guard to properly prepare for and respond to cyber threats and attacks.”
This is companion legislation to S. 658, which was introduced last month in the Senate with bipartisan support.