Plain Language Summary
# ANCHOR Act Summary The ANCHOR Act directs the National Science Foundation (NSF) to create a plan to upgrade the cybersecurity and telecommunications systems of the U.S. Academic Research Fleet—a group of oceangoing research vessels used by scientists, educators, and students to study marine science.
The bill requires the NSF to assess what technology upgrades these ships need, how much those upgrades would cost, how long implementation would take, and whether multiple vessels could share common solutions to save money and increase efficiency. **Who it affects:** Oceanographic researchers, universities with marine science programs, students, and the NSF. The bill has already passed the House and is now awaiting Senate action. **Key takeaway:** This is a relatively straightforward scientific infrastructure bill aimed at modernizing aging research vessels so they can conduct ocean research more securely and communicate more effectively while at sea.
CRS Official Summary
Accelerating Networking, Cyberinfrastructure, and Hardware for Oceanic Research Act or the ANCHOR Act This bill requires the National Science Foundation (NSF) to develop a plan to improve the cybersecurity and telecommunications capabilities of the U.S. Academic Research Fleet (ARF).ARF is comprised of U.S.-flagged vessels that provide at-sea laboratories where oceanographic scientists, educators, and students research and learn about marine science. The bill requires the plan to include assessments oftelecommunications and networking needs of ARF, consistent with typical scientific missions;cybersecurity needs appropriate for the operation of ARF vessels and their specific research functions;the costs necessary to meet these needs;the time required to implement necessary upgrades; andopportunities for the adoption of common solutions or consortial licensing agreements, or for the centralization of cybersecurity, telecommunications, or data management at a single facility. The plan must also include a spending plan for the NSF, the Office of Naval Research, nonfederal owners of ARF vessels, and users of the vessels to cover identified costs. Among other factors specified in the bill, the NSF must consider, as appropriate, the network capabilities necessary to meet mission needs (e.g., to upload data to cloud-based or shoreside servers), international standards and guidance for information security, and requirements for controlled unclassified or classified information. The plan must be provided to Congress within 18 months of the bill's enactment, and the NSF must later report to Congress on the plan's implementation.
Latest Action
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.