House panel approves cybersecurity bill

The House Homeland Security Committee voted unanimously to approve a bill to secure the federal government and critical infrastructure elements from cyberattacks.

The bill -- HR 3696, the National Cybersecurity and Critical Infrastructure Protection Act, backed by Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX) and Rep Patrick Meehan (R-PA), chairman of the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity -- would push the Department of Homeland Security to strengthen and codify it cybersecurity standards for the federal government and critical infrastructure networks. Chairman McCaul cited the varied support for the bill, including members in both parties and privacy advocates. The bill "establishes equal cybersecurity partnerships between private industry and DHS, while ensuring Americans’ civil liberties are protected," he said. “We cannot wait for a major attack to take action, and I am pleased that the Committee today unanimously passed legislation that improves DHS’s ability to defend against the many threats to our critical infrastructure."