Cybersecurity legislation passes House Committee

Last week new cybersecurity legislation cleared its first obstacle passing through the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee.

Sponsored by Representatives Michael McCaul (R – Texas) and Dan Lipinski (D – Illinois), the Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2011is designed to bolster the government’s ability to secure its networks against hackers.

The bill would authorize the National Science Foundation and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to establish standards across federal agencies as well as research and education.

“The cyber threat is real and it’s here now,” said Representative McCaul. “When there are so many issues that divide us, I think this is one that brings us together.”

During committee debate, Representative Paul Tonko (D –New York) worried that the bill might contain unfunded mandates and proposed an amendment that would tie certain provision of the bill to appropriated funds, but the amendment failed along party lines.

In defense of the bill, McCaul said that no new funding was necessary as the proposed legislation primarily codifies existing programs and activities and does not add any burdens to the agencies.

Representative David Wu (D – Oregon), one of the bill’s cosponsors, proposed authorizing NIST to work with businesses to develop voluntary cybersecurity standards for the private sector, but eventually withdrew the amendment. McCaul explained that such a provision would eventually be incorporated into the bill when it reaches the House floor, but was waiting for more research on the issue.

“I think this amendment goes in the right direction,” McCaul said. “The big debate we will have is, do we regulate or do we help give incentives to businesses to protect their systems?”

The bill is not expected to be debated until after lawmakers return from the August recess.

Senator Bob Menendez (D – New Jersey) has introduced similar legislationin the senate.