CBO Scores Network Security Information Sharing Act of 2019

The Network Security Information Sharing Act (HR 4461) would require the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to mitigate cybersecurity threats to suppliers of telecommunications services and equipment. Under the bill, the DHS would establish a program office to share information with trusted participants in the telecommunications industry about efforts by adversaries to embed malicious software into communications equipment purchased by American companies.

Using information from DHS about similar programs, CBO expects that implementing the provision would require, on average, 15 cybersecurity advisors in each year beginning in 2020, at an average annual rate of about $150,000 per employee. CBO also estimates that the annual operating expenses of the program office would cost $1 million. In total, CBO estimates that implementing HR 4461 would cost $17 million over the 2020-2024 period; such spending would be subject to the availability of appropriations.