Marco Rubio to Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Combat Cyber Threats to Critical Infrastructure
Rubio's Proposed Legislation Aims to Strengthen Cyber defenses and Protect National Security
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) announced today that he will introduce the bipartisan Cyber Incident Reporting Act, a bill to establish mandatory cyber incident reporting requirements for critical infrastructure owners and operators. The legislation is co-sponsored by Senators Mark Warner (D-VA), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Joe Manchin (D-WV).
Critical Infrastructure Under Increasing Threat from Cyber Attacks
Critical infrastructure, such as power plants, water treatment facilities, and financial institutions, are increasingly being targeted by cyber attacks. These attacks can cause significant disruption to essential services and pose a threat to national security.
Current Reporting System is Inadequate
Currently, there is no mandatory reporting system for cyber incidents. This makes it difficult for the government to track the scope and impact of cyber attacks and to develop effective mitigation strategies.
Cyber Incident Reporting Act: Key Provisions
The Cyber Incident Reporting Act would require critical infrastructure owners and operators to report cyber incidents to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) within 72 hours of the incident occurring. The legislation would also require CISA to share this information with other relevant government agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Benefits of the Cyber Incident Reporting Act
The Cyber Incident Reporting Act would provide several benefits, including:
- Improved cyber threat detection and response: By requiring critical infrastructure owners and operators to report cyber incidents, the government would be better able to track the scope and impact of cyber attacks and to develop effective mitigation strategies.
- Increased collaboration between government and private sector: The legislation would create a framework for regular communication between government and private sector entities on cyber threat information. This would help to improve coordination and response efforts.
- Enhanced deterrence: By increasing the likelihood that cyber attacks will be detected and reported, the legislation would act as a deterrent to potential attackers.
Conclusion: A Critical Step Towards Protecting National Security
The Cyber Incident Reporting Act is a vital step towards protecting national security from the growing threat of cyber attacks. By establishing mandatory cyber incident reporting requirements, the legislation will help the government to track the scope and impact of cyber attacks, develop effective mitigation strategies, and deter potential attackers.
