House panel approves cybersecurity standards bill

The Science, Space, and Technology Committee approved the first piece of cybersecurity legislation in the House of Representatives this year, passing a bill designed to increase education, research, and development to confront cyberthreats.

The committee overwhelmingly approved the Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2011 on July 21. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX and Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-IL), mirrors legislation passed last year by the House but that never made it to the Senate. The bill would authorize research, education, and the development of standards at the National Science Foundation and the National Institute of Standards and Technology. It also gives NIST the authority to set standards for federal agencies. Rep McCaul said he expects the bill to be debated by the full House after the August recess. Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) has introduced companion legislation in the Senate.