Amendment #372 to H3600

Cybersecurity, Data Analytics and Big Data Innovation Fund

Mr. Wagner of Chicopee moves to amend the bill by adding the following section:

SECTION XXX.  Chapter 40J of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking out section 6H, as so appearing, and inserting in place thereof of the following section:-

Section 6H.  There shall be established and set up on the books of the corporation a Cybersecurity, Data Analytics and Big Data Innovation Fund. There shall be credited to the fund the proceeds of any bonds or notes of the commonwealth issued for the purpose of the fund and any appropriations designated by the general court.  The corporation shall hold the fund in an account separate from other funds, including other funds established under this chapter.  Amounts credited to the fund shall be available for expenditure by the corporation without further appropriation for  all activities consistent with this section and which support the purposes specified in this section as the corporation may determine are appropriate including, without limitation, grants, contracts and loans.  Amounts credited to the fund shall be expended or applied only with the approval of the executive director of the corporation upon consultation with the director of the John Adams Innovation Institute.  Amounts credited to the fund shall be used to advance and promote cybersecurity, data analytics, and big data through, but not limited to: (i) bringing together academia, industry, public sector and private sector organizations to make recommendations on strategies to promote cybersecurity, data security, and innovation in security capabilities of information technology; (ii) providing access to tools and technology to enable academia and industry to research and analyze emerging technologies, open data sets, and public policy concerns; (iii) facilitating a talent pipeline in cybersecurity, data analytics, and big data through continuing education programs, advanced degree programs and community college and science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM, courses to close the skills gap; (iv) providing challenge grants that enable departments, agencies and instrumentalities of the commonwealth that utilize information technologies and big data to solve public policy concerns and to support economic development; and (v) working in partnership with established centers, institutions and departments at public institutions of higher education that advance and promote cybersecurity, data analytics and big data. The corporation shall support efforts to develop policies and guidelines to safeguard personally identifiable information.