Legislation explores benefits of US-Israel cybersecurity center

Sens. Mike Rounds (R-SD) and Jacky Rosen (D-NV) introduced this week a bill requiring the State Department to investigate potential benefits of establishing a U.S.-Israel cybersecurity center.

According to the legislators, the U.S.-Israel Cybersecurity Center of Excellence Act would aid in establishing a center to leverage the expertise of institutions of higher education, the private sector and government entities in both countries in the areas of cybersecurity and protecting critical infrastructure.

“As chairman of the Cybersecurity Subcommittee of the Senate Armed Services Committee, improving our nation’s defensive and offensive cyber capabilities has been a top priority of mine,” Rounds said. “Israel is a world leader in cybersecurity. Partnering with this close ally on a cybersecurity center of excellence, where experts can share best practices and other critical information, can help us bolster the cyber capabilities of both nations. I look forward to working with Sen. Rosen to advance this legislation in the Senate.”

Rosen said cybersecurity continues to be a growing threat and must be immediately addressed.

“By collaborating with our allies, we can better strengthen our cybersecurity defenses,” she said. “This bipartisan legislation would help us take much-needed steps towards establishing a joint cybersecurity research center with Israel, our closest ally in the Middle-East and a major hub for new and emerging cybersecurity technologies. I will continue working on forward-thinking policies that defend our nation from cyber-threats and strengthen our key national security alliances.”