King Works with Bipartisan Colleagues to Streamline Cybersecurity Regulations Across Federal Government

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME), Chair of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission, is working with a group of bipartisan colleagues to streamline cybersecurity regulations across the federal government. The Streamlining Federal Cybersecurity Regulations Act would address the challenges associated with the current patchwork of inconsistent cybersecurity policies between agencies by establishing an interagency Harmonization Committee at the Office of the National Cyber Director (ONCD). The bill requires the committee, headed by ONCD, develop a framework for the alignment of cybersecurity and information security regulations, rules, examinations, and other compliance requirements. Additionally, the bill establishes a pilot program to test the developed framework on substantially similar regulations to ensure that inconsistencies don't undercut the nation's cybersecurity efforts. It also requires that all agencies, including independent regulatory agencies, consult with the committee before issuing or updating regulations.

As cyberattacks grow in intensity and frequency, the cybersecurity compliance environment has become increasingly complex as agencies and regulatory bodies work to prevent online attacks. In many instances, rather than promoting increased cybersecurity, the complex, contradictory, and convoluted compliance landscape has forced companies to spend time, money, and expertise on regulatory examinations. By some estimates, cybersecurity teams are spending 40% to 70% of their time on compliance rather than improvements to their cybersecurity.

"Cyberattacks are a growing threat nationwide, and also hit home for Maine, where several major industries have been compromised in recent years due to cybercrimes," said Senator King. "These attacks and data breaches cost millions and put Maine people at risk of devastating consequences like a lack of home heating during a winter storm if a utility is affected. We must minimize the chances that hackers and bad actors are spotting cracks in the system, with different agencies having different regulations; that's why the bipartisan Streamlining Federal Cybersecurity Regulations Act is not just talk - it is an active step to ensure that our most vital industries are working together to protect their cyberinfrastructure from bad actors looking to inflict maximum damage."

The bipartisan bill is also cosponsored by Senators Gary Peters?(D-MI),?Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and James Lankford (R-OK). The bill received strong bipartisan support and was favorably voted out of Committee earlier this year.

As Co-Chair of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission (CSC), Senator King is recognized as one of Congress' leading experts on cyberdefense and as a strong advocate for a forward-thinking cyberstrategy that emphasizes layered cyberdeterrence. Since it officially launched in April 2019, dozens of CSC recommendations have been enacted into law, including the creation of a National Cyber Director.

Together with Solarium Co-Chair Representative Mike Gallagher, King previously urged the Biden Administration to better protect the public health sector from cyber threats and called for stronger, collaborative efforts to address the growing threat. Most recently, Senator King introduced the bipartisan Strengthening Cybersecurity in Health Care Act to require the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) perform consistent evaluations of its cybersecurity systems, and provide biannual reports on its current practices and progress on future safety procedures it is working to implement.

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