New Session Could Be Cybersecurity’s Chance to Shine – CQ Homeland Security
With the dawn of the new congressional session, experts say all the components are aligning for private sector companies to get what they want from cybersecurity legislation — incentives and leeway, without much regulation.
The two chambers of Congress are now led by opposing parties — a factor that threatens efforts to revive legislation in last year’s lame-duck session. But, while that situation will hinder a number of initiatives, it could provide an ideal climate for moving cybersecurity standards that promote collaboration between the government and the private sector, said Stewart A. Baker, a former assistant secretary at the Department of Homeland Security. Baker, who now serves as a partner at the law firm of Steptoe and Johnson, said that legislation aimed at boosting U.S. capabilities for preventing and reacting to cyberattacks is likely to pass some time in the next two years, given that it would be an easy-to-tout accomplishment for both parties at a time when those will be harder than ever to come by.
