You work as a legislative research aide for U.S. House of Representative member Gomer Pyle in the 26th District (a fake District number) of Virginia, who faces a contested reelection bid in the fall of 2023. As he prepares for his reelection bid Rep. Pyle wants to show to his constituents his commitment to enacting proposed legislation (laws) or highlighting existing legislation that protects the American people from cybersecurity threats from here or abroad. His hope is that voters will better understand cybersecurity threats and appreciate what has been or is being done about it through the passage of good legislation. Your job is to write a background research memo for Rep. Pyle after you have identified one such proposed or existing cybersecurity law. Rep. Pyle will use your memo in support of speeches before his constituents.

Understand that your background research memo is designed to inform Rep. Pyle - you are not writing his speech. Your memo to him should be clear, well-written, well-researched, and informative.

There are many fairly recently passed or proposed U.S. laws. For example, check out https://www.csoonline.com/article/3512043/2020-outlook-for-cybersecurity-legislation.htmlLinks to an external site.). There are many online tools and search engines to find such existing or proposed laws.

Instructions:

1. In your research, consider existing (must be enacted into law within past 6 years) as well as proposed U.S. or state (state laws can be a good model for federal legislation) cybersecurity laws. Then identify just one such law that you think is important, bearing in mind that Rep. Pyle wants to make an impression on his constituents and better inform them as citizens. 

2. Then write a memo. In doing so:

     a. Cite the existing or proposed law (preferably link it for me) and be clear about the law itself -- is it under consideration or has it been enacted into law and is so, when? 

     b. Summarize the law as clearly as possible. Remember your audience.

     c. Describe the problem the law is trying to fix. Give some background, context, and/or history. Perhaps you can wrap in current events.

     d. Does the law fix the problem? Can the law be improved, and if so, how?

     e. Any other observations? Remember, Rep. Pyle is your boss, he needs your help, and he's not a cybersecurity expert. Use your imagination. For example, is there any provision(s) in the law that voters will relate to?