Senate Homeland Security Committee Approves Cyberspace Act

The Senate Homeland Security Committee recently approved the Protecting Cyberspace as a National Asset Act of 2010 (S.3480). If enacted, the legislation would create an Office of Cyber Policy in the White House that would lead all federal cyberspace efforts and devise national cyberspace strategy. It would also establish a National Center for Cybersecurity and Communications within the Department of Homeland Security that would enforce cybersecurity policies throughout the government and the private sector. The bill would also establish a public/private partnership to set national cyber security priorities and improve national cyber security defenses.

The legislation, aimed at protecting America’s critical cyber infrastructure, has the support of the American Chemistry Council (ACC). ACC’s senior director of security stated, “The bill . . . will go a long way toward building upon the rigorous security regulations already in place for our industry, while providing a much needed focus on cyber-security,” adding that the legislation “will help us protect our facilities, our employees, the communities where we operate, and the vital products we supply to the nation every day.”