Senators soften latest cyber security measure

Senate Homeland Security Committee leaders Sens. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) introduced a revised version of their cybersecurity bill on Thursday.

Republicans had opposed the initial version of the Democrat-backed bill, introduced in February, because it called for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to assess power companies, utilities, and other firms that operate critical infrastructure for security problems and create performance standards - provisions that were considered too regulatory and restrictive on businesses by Republicans in the Senate.

"While the bill we introduced in February is stronger, this compromise will significantly strengthen the cybersecurity of the nation's most critical infrastructure and with it our national and economic security," said Lieberman. "We responded after the 9/11 attacks to improve our security. Now we must respond to this latest challenge before a cyber 9/11 occurs."

The revised measure would create a National Cybersecurity Council, led by the secretary of Homeland Security, to work with industry groups to develop voluntary standards on the best ways to defend against computer attacks. It would offer benefits, such as liability protection and expedited government security clearances, to owners of critical infrastructure who meet those standards, according to Lieberman's statement.

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