“As I speak, government computer systems are being hacked, proprietary data is being stolen from American companies, and the computers of private citizens are being compromised. And most of it is being done with impunity. Criminals, hacktivists, terrorists, and nation-states have managed to exploit our networks by staying at the cutting edge of technology. In the meantime, our defenses have lagged behind,” Rep. Mike McCaul told an audience at the Center for Strategic & International Studies on Tuesday.
“The digital frontier is still very much like the Wild West. At this moment, there are far more cyber outlaws than convicted cyber-criminals - a clear sign that we have a lot of catching up to do. We are really in uncharted territory. Not since the dawn of the nuclear era have we witnessed such a leap in technology without a clear strategy for managing it,” advised the Texas Republican, chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security.
The Texas Republican points out that private sector companies are reluctant to reveal cyber intrusions in their networks, fearing it could expose customer privacy “or even violate federal law and the duty they have to their shareholders.”
On its way, Mr. McCaul says: a draft bill to give liability protections. The legislation would give protections for the voluntary exchange of cyber threat information, including ’government-to-private’ and ’private-to-private’ sharing.
“if a major bank falls victim to a cyber intrusion, it would not be held back from sharing details of the attack with either the government or other banks and businesses - as long as the sharing is done through the appropriate channels and does not compromise the private information of customers and citizens.”
The lawmaker continued, “Moreover, the draft bill would give liability protections for companies to monitor their own information systems, and importantly, to use defensive measures to prevent intrusions. In the current environment, companies do not feel they have the adequate legal protection to take these measures. We’re not incentivizing them to be a full participant.”
Find Mr. McCaul’s speech here
• Jennifer Harper can be reached at jharper@washingtontimes.com.
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