The House Committee on Homeland Security recently advanced two bills that would re-authorize and update two vital cybersecurity tools the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) uses before they expire.
The Widespread Information Management for the Welfare of Infrastructure and Government Act would re-authorizes the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015 and would update definitions to include new tactics, techniques, and procedures and attack surfaces.
It would ensure nonfederal entities receive the information they need to address cybersecurity threats, and would enhances congressional oversight and effectiveness of the Automated Indicator Sharing program.
The Protecting Information by Local Leaders for Agency Resilience Act would re-authorize DHS’s State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program for 10 years and adds language regarding operational technology and encouraging the adoption of artificial intelligence when applicable.
It also increases by five percent the federal cost share if entities or multi-entity groups implement multifactor authentication across critical infrastructure by fiscal year 2028 and stabilizes the cost share for single entities at 60 percent or for multi-entity groups at 70 percent.
It encourages direct outreach to small communities, and places more accountability on entities and multi-entities to assume the long-term cost of cybersecurity investments in state budget planning processes.