Bill focuses on global cybercrime measures

Sens. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, and Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., introduced legislation Tuesday aimed at enhancing international cooperation to combat cybercrime.

"Cybercrime is a serious threat to the security of the global economy, which is why we need to coordinate our fight worldwide," Hatch said in a statement. "Until countries begin to take the necessary steps to fight criminals within their borders, cybercrime havens will continue to flourish."

The bill would require the president to submit an annual report to Congress assessing multilateral efforts to combat cyber crime as well as how other countries use information and communications technologies (ICT) in critical infrastructure, the extent and nature of cyber crime based in each country, the adequacy and effectiveness of those countries efforts to address cyber crime, and what type of online consumer protections are offered by other countries.

In addition, the bill would require that programs aimed at combating cybercrime target countries with low ICT penetration to ensure they do not become havens for cybercriminals. It also would encourage officials to include cybersecurity measures in programs aimed at improving such sectors as finance or telecommunications in other countries.

Gillibrand said the bill would "require the president to provide a global assessment, identify threats from abroad, work with other countries to crack down on their own cyber criminals, and urge the president to cut off U.S. assistance and resources for countries that refuse to take responsibility for cybersecurity."

The lawmakers noted that studies from network security provider McAfee Inc., have found that the global economy overall lost more than $1 trillion in 2008 as a result of cyber attacks.