Rounds Cyber Consortia Provision Included in Final NDAA Package

WASHINGTON – Last night, the House and Senate Armed Services Committees released the conference report for the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2020. The final legislation includes a provision authored by U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, that would require the Department of Defense (DOD) to establish a university consortia to advise and assist DOD on cybersecurity.

The provision will provide a single portal for DOD to access the expertise of universities designated as National Security Agency (NSA) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Centers of Academic Excellence, such as Dakota State University (DSU) in Madison.

“Dakota State has been at the forefront of cyber-related research for years,” said Rounds. “The establishment of a university consortia to advise and assist the DOD on cybersecurity will further strengthen the bond between schools like DSU and the DOD. Additionally, it will help the DOD solve complex cybersecurity problems and develop cybersecurity training. It’s a win-win. I look forward to getting the NDAA across the finish line in the coming days.”

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