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Mace sponsors a bill to push CBP to use blockchain at the border
Rep. Nancy Mace, R-C., is introducing a new invoice That would require the Secretary of Homeland Security to use a blockchain system at the U.S. border on Tuesday.
The lawmaker, who chairs a House oversight subcommittee focused on IT, says the technology could help with Department of Homeland Security activities such as tracking and managing cargo at the border. Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., is cosponsoring the bill, according to a Mace spokesperson.
Blockchain is a distributed ledger technology that uses cryptography for the security and validation of data and transactions. US Customs and Border Protection has already researched the potential use of the technology.
A 2020 CBP theoretical verificationfor example, focused on using blockchain technology to protect intellectual property rights on American imports by providing CBP with a secure way to exchange data with manufacturers, retailers, rights holders, and importers, ultimately reducing the number of physical exams.
“CBP’s initial findings and prototypes have shown significant results in using blockchain to secure and streamline border operations,” Mace said in a statement. “With this new legislation, we intend to transform these early efforts into a comprehensive, secure, and efficient infrastructure that will address the crisis at our southern border.”
Mace’s new bill would require CBP to create a public blockchain platform to be used for border security operations.
The system would contain biometric data, visa information and customs documentation, according to the bill, with CBP aiming to use the platform to verify travel documents and identities, improve tracking of goods through customs, manage personnel deployment border control and share data across relevant agencies in real time.
DHS has identified a number of use cases for technology, including using blockchain to digitally issue paper credentials and to create records and audits that DHS says cannot be falsified but could be publicly verified.
Last year, CBP reported interest in evaluating distributed ledger technology that could be used in its efforts to modernize the platform that handles transaction processing for the agency. Among the benefits of the technology are simultaneous access, validation and updating of transactions, the agency said in sources sought.
If the new proposal were to become law, CBP would also have to establish an oversight system for blockchain technology and DHS would have to report to Congress on the implementation of the platform.