Bipartisan duo wants to renew 10-year-old cyberthreat information sharing law
Summary
Two senators, Gary Peters (D-MI) and Mike Rounds (R-SD), have introduced the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Extension Act, aiming to extend a pivotal cybersecurity law from 2015 for another decade. This law encourages businesses to share crucial information on cybersecurity threats with the federal government, particularly the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The original law, set to expire in September, has been instrumental in protecting personal information and preventing data breaches.
Peters emphasises its importance for national security as cyber threats become increasingly sophisticated. The legislation offers protection from legal repercussions in exchange for sharing information on cyber threats, helping protect vital areas of infrastructure from attacks. With a call to action, both senators stress that allowing the law to lapse could significantly weaken America’s cybersecurity efforts.
Key Points
- The Cybersecurity Information Sharing Extension Act seeks to renew provisions of the 2015 law for an additional ten years.
- Encourages voluntary sharing of cybersecurity threat indicators between the private sector and the federal government.
- Protection for companies from legal actions in exchange for cyberthreat information sharing.
- Peters and Rounds highlight America’s increasing vulnerability to cyber threats and the need for collaboration.
- The original law has aided responses to significant threats, including the Russia SolarWinds attack and Chinese cyber campaigns.
Why should I read this?
If you’re keen on understanding the ongoing battles in cyber security and how legislation impacts digital safety, this article is a must-read. The extension of this critical law shows how lawmakers are adapting to the ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats. By keeping this information flowing, we bolster our defences against those who wish to harm our digital infrastructure.