Senators float compromise on cybersecurity mandates

Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Jon Kyl (R-AZ) are circulating a draft cybersecurity bill on Capitol Hill that they hope will win over two competing camps on the issue.

The proposal would put the Department of Homeland Security in charge of developing a program to pressure, but not force, critical infrastructure companies to better protect their computer systems. A key point of disagreement in the cybersecurity debate is how much power the federal government should have to require critical infrastructure systems, such as power grids and gas pipelines, to meet cybersecurity standards. House GOP leaders have indicated they will not allow a vote on any legislation that creates new mandates for cybersecurity. Although nearly everyone on Capitol Hill agrees that cyberattacks pose a threat to national security, the disagreement over which regulatory approach to take has stalled the push for legislation.