Feasibility study on use of cloud laboratories

(a) In general The Secretary of Defense shall conduct a review to determine the feasibility and advisability of using cloud laboratories at the Department of Defense to provide authorized researchers with access to high-quality experimental instrumentation and data collection for purposes of generating high-quality data. (b) Elements In conducting the review required under subsection (a), the Secretary of Defense shall take into account— (1) best practices for cloud computing methods to safely store sensitive data, such as biological data; (2) considerations related to cybersecurity, biosecurity, research security, and data privacy; (3) estimated costs for the construction and sustainment of cloud laboratories; (4) estimated timelines for establishing cloud laboratories; and (5) consideration of how cloud laboratories can improve the quality and quantity of data to improve research and development of novel technologies. (c) Report Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report on the results of the review conducted under subsection (a). (d) Cloud laboratory defined In this section, the term cloud laboratory means a physical laboratory equipped with automation and data storage to conduct experiments.