Cybersecurity bill advances through House committee

The U.S. House Homeland Security Committee recently advanced legislation that would establish a cybersecurity advisory committee to the director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Committee.

The goal of the advisory committee would be to advise and consult the director as well as make recommendations for improvements to the cybersecurity mission of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.

The committee would develop, refine, and implement policies, programs, rulemakings, planning, training, and security directives of the agency.

The Cybersecurity Advisory Committee Authorization Act was introduced by Rep. John Katko (R-NY), the committee’s ranking member.

“Today, many state and non-state actors are poised to utilize cyberspace to infiltrate companies and government networks,” Katko said. “To combat these ongoing and emerging threats, it is imperative that we promote cybersecurity efforts by forming partnerships between private industry and the Department of Homeland Security. My bill, the Cybersecurity Advisory Committee Authorization Act of 2019 (CSAC), achieves this by establishing a committee of cybersecurity experts representing every major business sector who will regularly provide feedback to DHS on cyber issues facing private industry. The CSAC will ensure a more holistic and wide-ranging approach is taken to addressing cybersecurity threats.”

The bill was referred to the subcommittee in April.