Rep. Vince Fong Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Improve Cybersecurity of Scientific Research
Today, Rep. Vince Fong (CA-20) introduced the bipartisan Accelerating Networking, Cyberinfrastructure, and Hardware for Oceanic Research (ANCHOR) Act with Rep. Haley Stevens (MI-11). This legislation would help facilitate cybersecurity and telecommunications upgrades for the U.S. Academic Research Fleet by requiring the National Science Foundation to develop a plan for improvement.
“The ANCHOR Act will ensure we can support scientific research here in America and protect this important work from cyberattacks by foreign adversaries,” said Rep. Fong. “This legislation requires the National Science Foundation to develop a much-needed plan to support the freedom and security of American scientific research. California is home to three of the U.S. Academic Research Fleet’s seventeen vessels that conduct research promoting America’s national security and environmental research.”
“The U.S. Academic Research Fleet (ARF) plays a critical role in advancing our understanding of what is happening not just in our oceans, but in our Great Lakes as well,” said Rep. Stevens. “The reintroduction of the ANCHOR Act will help support cyberinfrastructure and network upgrades on our Academic Research Fleet to ensure they stay mission ready to deliver critically needed science on the health of our oceans and lakes.”
“Sharing information and collaborating on ideas are fundamental parts of scientific excellent at the University of California, although doing so from research vessels at sea is remarkably challenging,” said Theresa Maldonado, Vice President for Research and Innovation at the University of California. “The ANCHOR Act would enable these vessels to effectively communicate with land using satellites, digital networks, software and cyberinfrastructure. By linking researchers and students aboard ships to their teams back on land, research vessels will not only be more effective and efficient, but more inclusive, allowing those who might not have the opportunity to participate in an expedition to do so virtually. Thank you Representative Vince Fong for your leadership, the ANCHOR Act is a critical step forward for our nation’s research enterprise.”
Background
The ANCHOR Act was introduced in the 118th Congress by former Rep. Mike Garcia (CA-27) and Rep. Haley Stevens, and the House passed it in September 2024. The bill requires the National Science Foundation to develop a plan, to be submitted to Congress, to improve the cybersecurity and telecommunications of the U.S. Academic Research Fleet.