Bishop Votes to Protect Americans Against Cyber-Attacks

Press Release

Today and earlier this week, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) voted to protect everyday Americans and strengthen domestic industry against cyber attacks by reinforcing federal cyber security efforts. Today, Congressman Bishop voted to support H.R.624, the Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act (CISPA). Earlier in the week, Congressman Bishop supported strengthening cyber security in a series of three votes; H.R. 1163, the Federal Information Security Amendments Act of 2013; H.R. 756, the Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2013; and H.R. 967, the Advancing America's Networking and Information Technology Research and Development Act of 2013.

"Cyber attacks on American industry cost our economy billions of dollars, numerous jobs, and an incalculable amount of classified and encrypted data," said Congressman Bishop. "Congress needs to do everything it can to assist critical American infrastructure in defending itself, strengthen the private and public sectors' security measures against cyber threats, and preserve civil liberties."

"Specifically regarding CISPA, the measure is a positive first step in addressing a very troubling gap in our cyber defense, and I look forward to continuing the discussion on how to further secure the United States against future cyber attacks," concluded Bishop.

Cyber attacks are a huge threat to American lives, national security, and the economy. In the past year alone, cyber attacks have hit vital resources, financial services, government agencies, media companies, and untold numbers of private sector businesses. Estimates state that billions of dollars in intellectual property and trade secrets have been stolen from the United States. Current law does not permit the information sharing necessary to protect America from cyber threats.

H.R. 624, the Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act amends the National Security Act of 1947 to add provisions concerning cyber threat intelligence and information sharing and sets a structure to encourage the federal intelligence community to share cyber threat intelligence with potential private sector targets of cyber-attacks. H.R. 624 passed 288 to 127.

H.R. 1163, the Federal Information Security Amendments Act of 2013 requires federal agencies to perform continuous automated monitoring of government information systems and conduct regular threat assessments in order to protect against cyber-intrusions. It also creates a new federal information security incident center to provide timely assistance in responding to security incidents. H.R. 1163 passed unanimously.

H.R. 756, the Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2013 reauthorizes and expands programs aimed at strengthening federal cybersecurity, including measures to encourage students to pursue degrees in cybersecurity, creating a program to develop a strategic plan to guide the overall direction of federal cybersecurity, reauthorizing cybersecurity programs at the National Science Foundation (NSF), and directing the National Institute of Technology and Standards (NIST) to develop cybersecurity standards for the federal government. H.R. 756 passed 402 to 16.

H.R. 967, the Advancing America's Networking and Information Technology Research and Development Act of 2013 requires the development and recurring update of a strategic plan for the government's Networking and Information Technology Research and Development (NITRD) program. H.R. 967 passed 406 to 11.

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