Hatch, Gillibrand introduce international cybercrime bill

Sens. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, and Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., introduced legislation on Tuesday to punish countries that don't do enough to combat cybercrime.

Under the International Cybercrime Reporting and Cooperation Act, an annual report would identify which countries are not effectively cracking down on cyber criminals or collaborating with the U.S. If countries are not meeting certain benchmarks, the president would then be encouraged, not mandated, to consider withdrawing aid to those the counties.

"Cybercrime must be a top priority for our national security," Gillibrand said in a statement. "If we're going to protect our networks, our infrastructure, our economy and our families, we have to go after cyber criminals wherever they may be - and it must be an international effort."

She said the legislation would help increase international coordination while targeting countries that refuse to take responsibility for cybersecurity.

Hatch, who chairs the Senate Republican High-Tech Task Force, agreed, saying governments around the world need to work together to reduce cyberattacks and other crime.

"With our legislation, countries that knowingly turn a blind eye to cybercriminals will now know that there will be consequences for not acting," he said in a statement.

The bill also would require the State Department to designate a senior official to oversee cybersecurity issues, as well as cyber attaches at key embassies.

The senators said each data breach can cost companies an average $6.6 million, and cited support from a range of businesses and industry groups, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, HP, and Microsoft.