Huntsville Leader

Representative Dale W. Strong, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology, has introduced a new piece of legislation titled the "Research Security and Accountability in DHS Act." This bill aims to enhance the protection of sensitive information within research and development projects conducted by the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T).

The proposed legislation mandates S&T to establish a process that safeguards sensitive data from unauthorized access and disclosure. Representative Dale Strong stated, "This bill will strengthen safeguards to prevent unauthorized access of sensitive information, ensuring that our nation’s research and development efforts remain secure." He further emphasized the importance of this measure by noting, "Chinese espionage is one of our country’s greatest threats. Protecting our innovations is critical to national security, and this legislation takes an important step in ensuring the integrity of DHS research."

Additionally, the bill requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to report to Congress on how well DHS complies with government-wide policies for protecting research and development activities. It also obliges DHS to brief both House and Senate Committees on Homeland Security regarding findings from a 2022 OIG Report concerning mismanagement issues within S&T's R&D projects.

The Science and Technology Directorate is responsible for overseeing research initiatives within DHS. In Fiscal Year 2024, Congress allocated $461 million for S&T's R&D projects addressing various security challenges such as border security, maritime safety, criminal investigations, emerging technologies, and chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats.

In 2022, an audit by the DHS Office of Inspector General revealed shortcomings in safeguarding sensitive information due to insufficient oversight within S&T. FBI Director Christopher Wray has consistently highlighted Chinese espionage as a significant threat to U.S. national security and technological innovation.

A classified review conducted by DHS OIG in 2017 assessed S&T's insider threat program but results remain undisclosed. The review underscored a need for better protection measures across DHS's R&D endeavors.