New Senate bill seeks improvements to federal cybersecurity

U.S. Sens. John Cornyn (R-TX) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) introduced cybersecurity legislation this week, seeking to improve the work of the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation (CDM) program.

Their solution is the Advancing Cybersecurity Continuing Diagnostics and Mitigation Act, which would make several demands of those involved with the program. Under the bill, DHS would need to codify the work of the CDM program thus far. The Secretary of Homeland Security would also have to make its capabilities available to federal, state, and local levels while deploying new technologies to keep the program evolving.

“Cyber-attacks on government networks are increasing in frequency and sophistication, so updating the programs and tools federal agencies use to thwart these attempts is critical,” Cornyn said. “By codifying the CDM program and providing congressional oversight, we can ensure the federal government is better prepared for cyber threats.”

Further, the new bill demands policies for reporting the cyber risks and incidents found by data CDM collects. At its heart, CDM is, after all, supposed to provide continuous monitoring of federal networks. DHS would also have to develop a strategy to ensure CDM continually adjusts to meet current cyber threats.

“As we saw just recently in Strafford County, New Hampshire, cyberattacks pose a real and growing threat to everything from local nursing homes to our national security,” Hassan said. “These threats are constantly evolving, and I’m glad to join Senator Cornyn in reintroducing this bipartisan bill, which not only requires the Department of Homeland Security to monitor and address cybersecurity vulnerabilities as they arise but also ensures that these resources are available to state and local governments in New Hampshire and across the country.”