Legislation targets enhanced cyberattack resources

Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and Rob Portman (R-OH) introduced last week a bill designed to bolster cyberattack resources and better coordination for serious breaches risking domestic safety and security.

The Cyber Response and Recovery Act would help to improve the federal response to cyber breaches, citing the recent attacks by foreign adversaries – including the Chinese and Russian governments penetrating the federal networks and private companies’ servers.

“Extensive breaches and attacks of public and private networks in just the last few months have compromised our national security and shown our nation is not adequately prepared to tackle evolving cyber threats,” Peters said. “As these challenges continue to grow, our national security apparatus needs more tools and resources to improve our response to these threats and defend against cyber-attacks from our foreign adversaries, like the Chinese government.”

Portman, chairman and ranking member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, said multiple recent cyberattacks against the U.S. government demonstrate attack vulnerability.

“These cyberattacks will continue, and we must ensure that we have the capacity to respond when they do,” he said. “This bipartisan bill will provide emergency resources when impacted organizations are overwhelmed and unable to respond to a debilitating attack.”

The bill would create authority for the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the National Cyber Director, declaring a Significant Cyber Incident in the event of an ongoing or imminent attack impacting national security, economic security, or government operations.

Officials said $20 million over seven years would be provided in resource funds and would require the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to report to Congress on its use.