Bill Would Open Channels On Cyber Threats

Federal Data Center Consolidation Makes Progress

House members have introduced new legislation that would promote information sharing between the government and private companies on matters of cybersecurity.

The Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act, introduced Wednesday by Reps. Mike Rogers and Dutch Ruppersberger of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence--chairman and a ranking member of the committee, respectively--allows the feds to share intelligence information with companies to help them prevent cyber attacks before they happen.

The bill also allows for "approved businesses" to share cyber threat information among themselves and also with the government, according to a statement.

The bill would go "a long way in helping American businesses better protect their networks and their intellectual property," Rogers said in the statement.

"There are two types of companies in this country, those who know they've been hacked, and those who don't know they've been hacked," he said. "Economic predators, including nation-states, are blatantly stealing business secrets and innovation from private companies."

[ The Defense Department tests its networks to protect against cyber attack. Learn more: U.S. Cyber Command Practices Defense In Mock Attack. ]

The bill is a "good start" to helping lock down U.S. intellectual property and critical infrastructure such as the power grid and banking systems, Ruppersberger added.

While the feds has been sharing cyber-threat information with the private sector through a Department of Homeland Security program, the bill would expand and formalize this type of intelligence sharing among the government and private companies.

The bill would require the Director of National Intelligence to set up procedures for sharing cyber-threat intelligence with the private sector, ensuring those that receive the information have the proper security clearance.

It also allows private sector entities to share information anonymously or restrict who they share with, including the government. Congress has been considering a number of cybersecurity bills, but so far has not passed definitive, sweeping legislation in this area.

The Obama administration has taken strides to partner with the private sector particularly on matters of cybersecurity and sharing information. DHS fusion centers around the country routinely share information with local and state authorities, as well as some companies, about cyber threats.

Thursday, President Obama proclaimed December Critical Infrastructure Protection Month, highlighting and promoting efforts the feds are taking to partner with the private sector to share cybersecurity information.

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