# Plain Language Summary: Cyber Defense National Guard Act

This bill asks the government to study whether the United States should create a "Cyber Defense National Guard"—essentially a reserve force of cybersecurity experts who could be called upon to defend the country's computer networks during major attacks or disasters. Right now, the bill doesn't actually create this force; it just requires the Director of National Intelligence to investigate whether it's a good idea and report back to Congress within eight months.

The study would examine the practical details of how such a force might work. This includes figuring out how much it would cost, how many people would be needed to protect critical infrastructure like power grids and water systems, and where the government could recruit these experts—potentially from private tech companies, universities, research centers, and government contractors. The study would also look at important questions like what qualifications people would need, how often they'd need training to stay sharp, and how to handle the fact that most cybersecurity experts come from the private sector rather than military or government backgrounds.

The bill also asks officials to consider some unique challenges. For example, if a major cyber attack knocked out communications in a region, how would a Cyber Defense National Guard coordinate and respond? Another key question is whether state governors could use this force during local cyber emergencies, similar to how they can deploy the National Guard for other crises. The study would need to weigh both the potential benefits and drawbacks of creating such a force and determine whether it would actually strengthen America's ability to defend itself against cyber threats.

Cyber Defense National Guard Act

Jackson Lee, Sheila

Cyber Defense National Guard Act This bill requires the Office of the Director of National Intelligence to report to Congress regarding the feasibility of establishing a Cyber Defense National Guard. The report shall address topics including (1) the cost of creating a Cyber Defense National Guard, (2) the number of persons needed to defend critical U.S. infrastructure from a cyberattack, (3) the sources of potential members of the Cyber Defense National Guard, and (4) which federal government elements would be best equipped to train and manage the Cyber Defense National Guard.