# DHS International Cyber Partner Act of 2023

This bill creates a formal partnership program within the Department of Homeland Security to work with other countries on cybersecurity issues. Essentially, it gives DHS the authority to establish official relationships with foreign governments and international organizations to share information about cyber threats, coordinate responses to cyberattacks, and collaborate on protecting critical infrastructure like power grids, water systems, and financial networks.

The practical effect is that DHS can now officially designate certain countries as "cyber partners" and create structured agreements with them. This means American cybersecurity experts can work more directly with their counterparts in allied nations to warn each other about hacking threats, share details about new cyberattack techniques, and coordinate defenses. For example, if hackers from one country target infrastructure in another, these partner nations can quickly share information and work together to stop the attack and prevent future ones.

For everyday Americans, this matters because stronger international cybersecurity cooperation helps protect the systems you depend on—your bank's security, the power grid that keeps your lights on, and the networks that hospitals use. By working with trusted allies, the U.S. can catch cyber threats earlier and respond faster. The bill essentially formalizes what was already happening informally, giving it official structure and resources so these partnerships can be more effective and consistent over time.

DHS International Cyber Partner Act of 2023

Peters, Gary C.

DHS International Cyber Partner Act of 2023 This bill provides statutory authority for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to work with international partners on cybersecurity. Specifically, DHS, with the concurrence of the Department of State, may assign personnel to a duty station located outside the United States at which it determines representation of the department is necessary to accomplish its cybersecurity and infrastructure security missions and to carry out duties and activities as assigned by DHS. The activities of DHS personnel who are assigned shall be <ul> <li>performed with the concurrence of the chief of mission to the foreign country to which such personnel are assigned, and</li> <li>consistent with the duties and powers of the State Department and the chief of mission for a foreign country.</li> </ul> Further, CISA may enter into agreements or arrangements with foreign governments and foreign owners and operators of critical infrastructure that would further the homeland security interests of the United States and enhance the ability of a foreign government or foreign owner or operator of critical infrastructure to work cooperatively with the United States to advance U.S. homeland security interests. The bill establishes provisions regarding (1) reimbursement of expenses, and (2) receipts credited as offsetting collections.