Rep. Katko introduces bill to create cybersecurity advisory committee

Rep. John Katko (R-NY) introduced legislation to create a cybersecurity advisory committee to help fight cyberattacks. 

The Cybersecurity Advisory Committee (CSAC) would be comprised of cybersecurity professionals from every major business sector that are responsible for protecting enterprises. The committee would provide insight to the Director of Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the Department of Homeland Security.

The bill was co-sponsored by Reps. Dan Lipinski (D-IL, Dan Newhouse (R-WA), and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA).

“All Americans are susceptible to cyberattacks, and, as Ranking Member on the Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection & Innovation Subcommittee, I am committed to working to address and improve our cyber protections,” Katko said. “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.  By creating a Cybersecurity Advisory Committee, we can facilitate a vital dialogue between public and private partners and better secure the U.S. 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.”

Fitzpatrick said cybersecurity is a serious national and economic issue that the United States will face over the decades to come. He called this bill a critical first step to ensure DHS has the information it needs to address the challenge.

“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,” Lipinski said.