President Trump Signs Ratcliffe Cybercrime-Fighting Bill into Law

Provides critical training and resources to state and local law enforcement Texas Insider Report: WASHINGTON D.C. Rep. John Ratcliffes (R-Texas) Strengthening State and Local Cyber Crime Fighting Act of 2017 (H.R. 1616) was signed into law today by President Trump. The law provides state and local law enforcement with the tools and training they need to combat cybercrime and protect our communities. It has been hailed as a major win for law enforcement and for Americas cybersecurity posture.

Id like to thank President Trump for his strong support of my bill to ensure our state and local law enforcement officials are properly equipped to address and prosecute crimes in the 21st century because were now in an era where almost every case involves some sort of digital evidence Ratcliffe said. At the end of the day getting the upper hand against cyber criminals will make our nation safer and Im glad that this critical piece of legislation has been signed into law to do just that.

H.R. 1616 authorizes the National Computer Forensics Institute (NCFI) in Hoover Ala. which is widely recognized as the premier cybercrime training center for law enforcement officials from across the country. The NCFI has trained close to 7000 local officials from all 50 states and three U.S. territories. Its graduates represent more than 2000 agencies nationwide including multiple agencies in Texas 4th District. Ratcliffe chaired a field hearing in 2016 where an NCFI graduate testified to its enormous impact and he recently visited the center to engage with its instructors and staff. Ratcliffe is Chairman of the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection. As the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Texas during the George W. Bush administration Ratcliffe was the top law enforcement officer for a 33000-square-mile area. In Congress hes remained a leading voice on law enforcement and cybersecurity issues.