Bipartisan CIRDA Act passes subcommittee

The Critical Infrastructure Research and Development Advancement Act of 2013 was passed on Sept. 18 by the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection and Security Technologies, which is chaired by Rep. Patrick Meehan (R-Pa.).

The bill, which has bipartisan support, aims at advancing security technologies for critical infrastructure protection.

“U.S. critical infrastructure keeps America safe, secure, free, and prosperous,” Meehan said. “However, the infrastructure is technologically complex and potentially vulnerable to both physical and cyber attacks. New security technologies are necessary to keep pace with evolving threats and the rapid advancement of technology itself.”

Under the CIRDA Act, a research and development strategy would be developed for critical infrastructure security technologies and current barriers within the Department of Homeland Security would be streamlined.

The CIRDA Act will also explore how to use the expansion of public-private R&D consortiums can accelerate new security technologies and spur innovation economic competitiveness. It will also designate a technology clearinghouse that will allow for the rapid sharing of proven security tools between government and private partners.