Cybersecurity News

Federal Computer Week is reporting this afternoon that the much-talked-about Senate cybersecurity legislation, the “Protecting Cyberspace as a National Asset Act,” should be on Obama’s desk by the end of the summer…  That’s according to Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT), who heads the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, where a hearing for the bill was held today.

While the report mentions that there are currently more than 40 cybersecurity measures floating around the Hill, Lieberman’s legislation continues to gain support, thanks to his prominent role as committee chair.  According to Lieberman, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) is also on board, and pushing the bill out to Obama’s desk by summer’s end was Reid’s intent.

And if you want a more candid look at the “Protecting Cyberspace as a National Asset Act,” check out ZDNet’s article: “Lieberman’s cyber-security bill: The good, the bad, the ugly.”  Of the 197-page bill, ZDNet’s guest editorial writer, Matthew Olney of SourceFire, suggests:  “This is an impressive, expansive and ambitious piece of legislation, completely reworking the Federal government’s management of cyber security issues.  There are a lot of things in the bill that I think are necessary.  Of course… There are a couple of issues that, erm, have ‘opportunity for improvement.’”

Olney goes on to mention that Lieberman is “on the right track,” but wishes the senator good luck, suggesting that he concentrate more on ensuring open communication and information channels between the Federal government and the private sector.  “We cannot simply hand over the infrastructure to the Federal government,” Olney advised.

A PDF copy of the “Protecting Cyberspace as a National Asset Act” bill in its entirety, can be found at the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, or by clicking here.

Additional commentary –published within the past 24 hours– regarding the legislation can be found at:

Senate bill would expand government cybersecurity role (SC Magazine)

Analysis: New cybersecurity bill promises big changes (Federal News Radio)

Cybersecurity bill could increase powers of DHS, president (eWeek)

Bill proposes cyber workforce reforms (Next Gov)