Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 124.djvu/4044

 124 STAT. 4018 PUBLIC LAW 111–358—JAN. 4, 2011 and Technology Council regarding such facilities and opportuni- ties for partnership with other agencies in the design and construction of such facilities; and (3) for facilities in which research in multiple disciplines will be possible, the Director should include multiple units within the Foundation during the planning process. SEC. 524. CLOUD COMPUTING RESEARCH ENHANCEMENT. (a) RESEARCH FOCUS AREA.—The Director may support a national research agenda in key areas affected by the increased use of public and private cloud computing, including— (1) new approaches, techniques, technologies, and tools for— (A) optimizing the effectiveness and efficiency of cloud computing environments; and (B) mitigating security, identity, privacy, reliability, and manageability risks in cloud-based environments, including as they differ from traditional data centers; (2) new algorithms and technologies to define, assess, and establish large-scale, trustworthy, cloud-based infrastructures; (3) models and advanced technologies to measure, assess, report, and understand the performance, reliability, energy consumption, and other characteristics of complex cloud environments; and (4) advanced security technologies to protect sensitive or proprietary information in global-scale cloud environments. (b) ESTABLISHMENT.— (1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director shall initiate a review and assessment of cloud computing research opportunities and challenges, including research areas listed in subsection (a), as well as related issues such as— (A) the management and assurance of data that are the subject of Federal laws and regulations in cloud com- puting environments, which laws and regulations exist on the date of enactment of this Act; (B) misappropriation of cloud services, piracy through cloud technologies, and other threats to the integrity of cloud services; (C) areas of advanced technology needed to enable trusted communications, processing, and storage; and (D) other areas of focus determined appropriate by the Director. (2) UNSOLICITED PROPOSALS.—The Director may accept unsolicited proposals that review and assess the issues described in paragraph (1). The proposals may be judged according to existing criteria of the National Science Founda- tion. (c) REPORT.—The Director shall provide an annual report for not less than 5 consecutive years to Congress on the outcomes of National Science Foundation investments in cloud computing research, recommendations for research focus and program improve- ments, or other related recommendations. The reports, including any interim findings or recommendations, shall be made publicly available on the website of the National Science Foundation. (d) NIST SUPPORT.—The Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology shall— Web posting. 42 USC 1862p–12.