Cybersecurity Vulnerability Remediation Act

The Cybersecurity Vulnerability Remediation Act, also known as H.R.2980, is a legislative bill introduced in the 117th Congress (2021-2022). The Act aims to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to provide for the remediation of cybersecurity vulnerabilities. The Act empowers the Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) of the Department of Homeland Security to identify, develop, and disseminate actionable protocols to mitigate cybersecurity vulnerabilities to information systems and industrial control systems. This includes circumstances where vulnerabilities exist because a vendor no longer supports software or hardware.

The Act also mandates the Under Secretary for Science and Technology of the Department of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Director of CISA, to establish an incentive-based program that allows industry, individuals, academia, and others to compete in identifying remediation solutions for cybersecurity vulnerabilities.

The Act further requires the Director of CISA to submit a report to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate on how the Agency carries out its duties to coordinate vulnerability disclosures and disseminate actionable protocols to mitigate cybersecurity vulnerabilities.

The Cybersecurity Vulnerability Remediation Act is a significant step towards strengthening the cybersecurity infrastructure of the United States and protecting its information systems from potential threats.

Sources: Congress.gov