WHEREAS, the Commonwealth of Virginia is a leader in Cyber and information technology and networking skills; and

WHEREAS, the Federal government recognizes the requirement for robust network defense missions and this creates an opportunity to diversify the Commonwealths economy and skill sets to ensure the security and vitality of our State's networks; and

WHEREAS, the State can leverage Federal funds to enhance skills and ability to defend the Commonwealth's networks; and

WHEREAS, recent events have exposed huge vulnerabilities for both private and public websites and networks to cyber- attacks; and

WHEREAS, there exist large numbers of highly trained experts in technology, intelligence, and cyber-security in the Commonwealth; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the Virginia Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security be requested to study the creation of Virginia Cyber Protection Teams.

In conducting its study, the Virginia Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security shall (i) determine (a) possible opportunities to leverage the Commonwealth's advantage in the technology, intelligence, and defense fields to become a leader in cyber protection, (b) opportunities for cyber defense and security to be a collective activity of government, industry, and individuals to enable the more advanced intelligence-based cyber defenses required to protect businesses and the society from harm by global state and non-state actors, (c) opportunities to incorporate partnerships with Virginia universities which provide state of the art education and training to enhance our skill sets to build these teams, and (ii) determine (a) the costs of establishing and maintaining Virginia Cyber Protection Teams, and (b) possible funding sources for these Virginia Cyber Protection Teams.

All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the Virginia Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security for this study, upon request.

The Virginia Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security shall complete its meetings by November 30, 2015, and shall submit to the Governor and the General Assembly an executive summary and a report of its findings and recommendations for publication as a House or Senate document. The executive summary and report shall be submitted as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents and reports no later than the first day of the 2016 Regular Session of the General Assembly and shall be posted on the General Assembly's website.