Cyber-Heavy DHS Reauthorization Bill Passes House

A bill that would reauthorize the Homeland Security Department for the first time in its nearly 15-year history and beef up cyber protections at ports and airports passed the House of Representatives.

The reauthorization bill, which was long championed by House Homeland Security Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX) would direct the Transportation Security Administration to conduct a broad assessment of cyber risks to aviation security and to be prepared to vet cyber protections of specific airports and airlines if requested. TSA must also develop one program to enhance cyber threat information sharing across the aviation sector and another to assess cyber vulnerabilities in data stored by TSA PreCheck and other trusted traveler programs, according to the bill, which passed the House 386-41. The bill also formally tasks the US Coast Guard with ensuring cyber protections at US ports and with helping port operators share cyber threat information.