S-2153 : Still Just a Bill

The Defense Support for Cyber Emergencies Response Act (S. 2153) amends Title 10 of the United States Code to allow the Secretary of Defense to activate members of the Selected Reserve and Individual Ready Reserve in response to significant cyber incidents. Key provisions include:

• Activation Authority: Permits the Secretary of Defense to order members of the Selected Reserve and Individual Ready Reserve to active duty for up to 365 days without their consent to augment active forces during a Department of Defense response to a covered cyber incident.
• Termination of Service: Allows the Secretary of Defense or a new law to terminate the active duty service of these units or members.
• Definition of Covered Incident: Defines "covered incident" as:
  • A cyber incident involving a Department of Defense information system or a breach involving personally identifiable information that the Secretary of Defense determines is likely to cause demonstrable harm to national security, foreign relations, the U.S. economy, public confidence, civil liberties, or public health and safety.
  • A cyber incident or collection of related cyber incidents that the President determines is likely to cause demonstrable harm to national security interests, foreign relations, or the economy of the United States or to the public confidence, civil liberties, or public health and safety of the people of the United States.
  • A significant incident declared under section 2233 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002.

In short, this bill enables the Department of Defense to more rapidly and effectively respond to significant cyber threats by utilizing reserve forces.