Katko’s bipartisan bill would increase U.S. cybersecurity preparedness, response

U.S. Rep. John Katko (R-NY) on March 28 sponsored a bipartisan bill to bolster America’s cybersecurity readiness and response efforts within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

“All Americans are susceptible to cyberattacks,” said Rep. Katko, ranking member on the U.S. House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Innovation. “I am committed to working to address and improve our cyber protections.”

The Cybersecurity Advisory Committee Authorization Act of 2019, H.R. 1975, would establish a Chief Information Security Officer Advisory Committee within the DHS Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, according to the congressional record.

The newly created advisory committee would be comprised of expert cybersecurity professionals responsible for protecting public and private entities in every major American business sector, according to Rep. Katko’s statement. 

Rep. Katko is joined by U.S. Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Dan Newhouse (R-WA) and Dan Lipinski (D-IL) in introducing H.R. 1975.

“The bipartisan measure I’ve introduced today takes steps towards equipping the agencies within the Department of Homeland Security with the necessary tools to respond to evolving cyber threats,” Rep. Katko said. “By creating a Cybersecurity Advisory Committee, we can facilitate a vital dialogue between public and private partners and better secure the U.S.”

Rep. Lipinski said that “Congress needs to pass legislation to keep our country ahead of serious threats to our cyber infrastructure. Significant progress will be achieved if the public and private sectors better align their cybersecurity efforts.”

“Whether it is state actors from North Korea to Russia, hacktivists or cyber-criminals targeting consumer and personal data, cybersecurity is a serious national and economic security issue that our country will continue to face over the decades to come,” said Rep. Fitzpatrick, who added that it’s the responsibility of DHS to work with public and private sector stakeholders to secure networks and protect critical U.S. infrastructure.

In fact, according to Rep. Fitzpatrick, 85 percent of U.S. cyber infrastructure is owned and operated outside of the government. 

“This legislation is an important first step to ensure DHS has the information to address this challenge on every front and the tools it needs to carry out this mission,” said Rep. Fitzpatrick.

H.R. 1975 has been referred for consideration to three committees in the U.S. House of Representatives: Homeland Security, Energy and Commerce, and Oversight and Reform.

“I’m grateful for the support of our private partners for this initiative, including the National Technology Security Coalition, and I look forward to working with them to expand public-private engagement in cybersecurity,” said Rep. Katko last Thursday.