The Senate unanimously passed legislation Oct. 3 that would redesignate the Department of Homeland Security\u2019s National Protection and Programs Directorate as the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rather than cybersecurity being merely an office within NPPD, the new agency would be centrally responsible for leading cybersecurity and critical infrastructure security programs, operations and associated policy, while coordinating with other federal and non-federal entities on cyber issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Act of 2017 was passed unanimously in the House, Dec. 11, 2017, and a hearing was held in the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee approximately two months later, but the bill did not make it to the Senate floor until Oct. 3.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWith the advancement of technology and our increased dependence on computer networks, nation states, hackers and cybercriminals are finding new ways to attack our cyber infrastructure and expose vulnerabilities,\u201d Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, the bill\u2019s sponsor, said in a news release after the bill\u2019s initial House passage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis realignment will achieve DHS\u2019s goal of creating a standalone operational organization, focusing on and elevating its vital cybersecurity and infrastructure security missions to strengthen the security of digital America and our nation\u2019s critical infrastructure.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The bill would place the current under secretary for NPPD, Christoper Krebs, at the head of the agency as the director of National Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security, reporting directly to the DHS secretary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nThank you to\n @SenRonJohnson<\/a>,\n @clairecmc<\/a>and the rest of the Senate for voting to create\n the first cybersecurity agency in the fed gov\u2019t. Perfect timing\n as Oct. is\n #CyberMonth2018<\/a>. This will go a long way in our ability\n to defend the nation against\n #cyber<\/a>threats.<\/p>— Chris Krebs (@nppd_krebs)\n October 3, 2018<\/a>\n<\/blockquote>\n