Infrastructure protectionHouse passes important cybersecurity legislation

Yesterday (Monday) the House unanimously passed H.R. 3359, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Act of 2017. This important legislation will streamline the current structure of the National Protection and Programs Directorate (NPPD) and re-designate it as the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA) to more effectively execute cybersecurity and critical infrastructure related authorities.

Representative Michael McCaul (R-Texas), the chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, said: “With the advancement of technology and our increased dependence on computer networks, nation states, hackers, and cybercriminals are finding new ways to attack our cyber infrastructure and expose vulnerabilities. This re-alignment will achieve DHS’s goal of creating a stand-alone operational organization, focusing on and elevating its vital cybersecurity and infrastructure security missions to strengthen the security of digital America and our nation’s critical infrastructure.”

The bills that passed the House today include:

H.R. 3359 — Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Act of 2017, sponsored by McCaul, to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to authorize the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency of the Department of Homeland Security.

H.R. 3669 — Securing General Aviation and Commercial Charter Air Carrier Service Act of 2017, sponsored by Representative Ron Estes (R-Kansas), to improve and streamline security procedures related to general aviation and commercial charter air carrier utilizing risk-based security standards.

Watch Chairman McCaul’s floor remarks on H.R. 3359.