# Plain Language Summary of H.R. 9295

The Department of Defense is working on a major computer system called the Joint Warfighter Cloud Capability program, which is essentially a cloud-based system that helps military personnel access information and tools they need to do their jobs. This bill is asking the Defense Department's top technology officer to explain to Congress what security measures could be put in place to protect this system from hackers and cyber attacks.

Specifically, the bill requires the Chief Information Officer of the Department of Defense to give Congress a detailed briefing by February 1, 2025, about different security options available for this cloud program. Think of it like asking a tech expert to present different ways to lock up a valuable asset and explain the pros and cons of each approach. The briefing needs to cover cloud-specific security applications—meaning security tools that are specially designed to work with cloud-based systems rather than traditional computer networks.

This is essentially a request for information and planning rather than a major policy change. Congress wants to understand what security protections are available before the military continues rolling out this cloud system to warfighters in the field. It's a common oversight tool Congress uses to make sure the military is thinking carefully about protecting sensitive military information and systems from cyber threats. For most Americans, this won't have a direct impact on daily life, but it reflects ongoing concerns about keeping military technology secure in an increasingly digital world.

To direct the Chief Information Officer of the Department of Defense to provide a briefing to Congress on security options for the Joint Warfighter Cloud Capability program, and for other purposes.

Slotkin, Elissa

<p>This bill requires the Chief Information Officer of the&nbsp;Department of Defense (DOD), not later than February 1, 2025, to brief Congress on cloud-specific security applications that may be incorporated into the Joint Warfighter Cloud Capability program (i.e., the multiple-award contract vehicle that allows DOD to acquire commercial cloud capabilities and services from commercial cloud service providers).</p>