Bill calls for greater collaboration, training for cybercrime

On November 30, the House of Representative passed H.R. 3490, the Strengthening State and Local Cyber Crime Fighting Act. The bill was originally introduced in September of this year by Rep. John Ratcliffe (R-TX) befor being referred to the Committees on the Judiciary and Homeland Security.

The bill amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002, which called for the establishment of the National Computer Forensics Institute (NCFI) within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The NCFI was founded in 2008, and uses strategic partnerships to enhance state and local law enforcement efforts in the area of cybercrime. This mission is accomplished through the U.S. Secret Service providing training to law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and judges.

H.R. 3490 dictates that NCFI collaborate with the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers, an interagency facility operated by DHS that offers courses related to cybercrime response. The bill also calls for the Secret Service to expand its network of multi-agency anti-cybercrime Electronic Crime Task Forces.

For more information on H.R. 3490, please follow the links below.
H.R. 3490 – Strengthening State and Local Cyber Crime Fighting Act
H.R. Strengthening State and Local Cyber Crime Fighting Act, House Republicans
House passes bill authorizing Secret Service cyber crime training for state, local cops, prosecutors, Fed Scoop