Proposed Rule Banning Chinese Tech Needs to Consider Small Contractors, Senators Warn
Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Ben Cardin (D-MD) have called on OMB to ensure that federal regulations banning the government’s use of Chinese telecommunications technology include “explicit processes” to help small businesses with compliance. Section 889(a)(1)(B) of the fiscal 2019 defense policy law bans federal agencies from procuring or doing business with companies using “covered […]
Senators to Introduce COVID-19 Consumer Data Protection Act
On April 30, 2020, a group of four Republican Senators announced their plan to introduce federal privacy legislation that would regulate the collection and use...
HASC’s Langevin Pushes White House Cyber Coordinator, “E-Congress”
Representative Jim Langevin (D-RI) will push for legislation proposed by the Cyberspace Solarium Commission, of which he was a member, including language that would reestablish the position of White House cybersecurity coordinator. Langevin hopes to include some of his reforms in the annual defense authorization bill due at the end of the year, but some […]
One Senator Wants Vendors to Ensure their Internet Connectivity Devices are Secure
Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) is urging network device vendors to ensure their products remain secure, as millions of Americans work from home. In letters to Google, Netgear, CommScope, Asus, Belkin, and Eero, Warner expressed concern about their wireless access points, routers, modems, mesh network systems, and “related connectivity devices.” He called on the companies to […]
Houses Passes Measure Requiring Cybersecurity Training for All House Members
The House of Representatives has approved language introduced by Representative Kathleen Rice (D-NY) to require all members of the House to undergo annual cybersecurity and information security training, as is already required for House officers and employees. The provision was included in H.Res.756, a bipartisan resolution that includes several recommendations adopted by the Select Committee […]
U.S. Senators Seek to Ban TikTok on Government Devices
Senators Josh Hawley (R-MO) and Rick Scott (R-FL) have introduced a bill aimed at banning the use of the China-made TikTok application on government devices. Referred to as the “No TikTok on Government Devices Act,” the new legislation would prevent government employees, diplomats, and politicians from downloading or using TikTok or other applications from the […]
House Members Worry if The Cyber Force Is the Right Size
Representative Jim Langevin (D-RI) and other members of Congress are concerned that the Department of Defense’s cyber force – which consists of 133 offensive, support, and defensive cyber teams – is not large enough. During his opening statement at a hearing of the House Armed Services Committee, Langevin suggested Congress should “candidly assess whether a […]
Proposed Bill Seeks to Protect Researchers Disclosing Classified Government Backdoors
The newly introduced Espionage Act Reform Act of 2020 seeks to protect journalists who publish classified information, as well as security researchers who discover classified government backdoors. Introduced by Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Representative Ro Khanna (D-CA), the bill would authorize the “appropriate disclosure” of classified information and provide protection to those who disclose […]
US Congress Passes Bill Funding “Rip and Replace” for Huawei Gear
Congress has passed legislation offering $1 billion to help telecom carriers "rip and replace" equipment from Chinese tech firms Huawei and ZTE amid national...
Senator Highlights Significance of Defense Department’s Vulnerability Disclosure Programs
Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) sent a letter to Defense Department CIO Dana Deasy this week stressing the value of the agency’s vulnerability disclosure programs, and highlighting the Internet of Things Cybersecurity Improvement Act, which he’s introduced to help ensure vendors of IoT products maintain similar, coordinated schemes. The note was prompted by a recent news […]