Senators Urge New Powers for President to Respond to Cyber Attacks

Sens Joe Lieberman (I-CT), Susan Collins (R-Maine), and Tom Carper (D-Delaware) plan to introduce today a new cybersecurity bill.

Under the legislation, the president could order emergency measures to combat cyber attacks, but the president's specific powers would be developed with companies and wouldn't allow the government to take over private networks or give it more surveillance authority. The bill would require the president to inform Congress in advance of what measures are being taken. The measures would expire in 30 days unless renewed by the president. Under the legislation, a White House Office of Cyberspace Policy would be established. The measure would leave it to businesses that run critical facilities such as power plants and telecommunications networks to choose the security they use to protect networks. A national cyber-security center would be created within the Department of Homeland Security. The center's Senate- confirmed director would advise the president on the federal government's computer-network security. The center would work with companies to develop requirements for tightening security and share warnings with the private sector about possible attacks.