Yesterday the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee amended and passed S.3480: Protecting Cyberspace as a National Asset Act of 2010. Cyber attacks on our information technology networks and critical infrastructure are one of the greatest threats our country faces, potentially impacting the energy supply, financial services and communication systems.  S.3480 ventures to reduce the risk of such debilitating attacks.

Senator Joseph Lieberman (I-CT), the sponsor of the bill, said “This [A cyber attack] is a clear and present danger.” Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), a co-sponsor, said “it is not if but when a [cyber] attack is going to occur.” A sense of urgency and immediacy hung in the air as the Committee marked-up the legislation. Members from both sides of the aisle voiced concern and praise of the bill, while still working together to get the best bill as fast as possible, because the enemy, hackers, don’t use the committee structure the US Senate does.  

S.3480 clearly defines government roles in respect to cybersecurity. It would create the Office of Cyberspace Policy within the White House, including a Senate confirmable director with specific goals and duties to create national policy concerning Cyber Space. It also would create the National Center for Cybersecurity and Communications within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Further it would give DHS the authority to enforce cybersecurity standards throughout the Federal Agencies, creating significantly more secure networks in the Federal Government.

S.3480 would require the creation of a list of Covered Critical Infrastructure, which would encompass both private and public sector. All covered critical infrastructure must comply with appropriate requirements, creating a secure network. The legislation also allows DHS to recruit and hire the top cybersecurity professionals, expanding the Federal cybersecurity workforce.

As amended yesterday, the legislation puts new emphasizes on identity management and authentication. Both are critical to protecting our critical infrastructure networks at the first point of contact, proactively defending our infrastructure from cyber attack rather than attempting damage control after the fact.

This legislation is vital to our personal and national security and deserves thoughtful and swift debate and passage on the Senate floor. The Secure ID Coalition applauds the effort made by the Senate Homeland Security Committee and urges the full Senate’s consideration passage of a complete cybersecurity package this year.