Two bills introduced by U.S. Rep. John Ratcliffe (R-TX) were passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday to help spur collaborative efforts between the private sector and the federal government in cybersecurity initiatives.
The Support for Rapid Innovation Act of 2017 will aim to provide more effective coordination channels in industry and academia for the development of new cybersecurity technologies.
The Leveraging Emerging Technologies Act of 2017 will encourage engagement between the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and up-and-coming technology firms to bring the nation’s cybersecurity defense and response capabilities up to date.
Both bills are part of House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy’s (R-CA) Innovation Initiative, which seeks to spur innovation in the private sector for the benefit of the federal government.
“It’s no secret that the federal government has struggled to keep pace with the exponential levels of technological innovation taking place, and one of my core beliefs as a legislator is that many of the most innovative solutions are best developed outside of Washington,” Ratcliffe said.
“That’s why it’s so important for us to engage with emerging technology developers who have already made enormous strides in crafting new tools and strategies that can help us defend our country against cyber threats. The bills we just passed in the House will enable our government to effectively leverage the private sector’s innovation and expertise to strengthen our national cybersecurity posture.”