Trade group sees unintended consequences in new cybersecurity bill

The technology trade association TechAmerica is worried about regulatory provisions in a comprehensive cybersecurity bill that Sens. Joseph Lieberman (I-Conn.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), and Thomas Carper (D-Del.) introduced on June 10.

“Good intentions aside, America’s technology companies are concerned about the unintended consequences that would result from the legislation’s regulatory approach,” Phil Bond, TechAmerica's president and chief executive officer, said in a statement.

The group’s worries center on powers the bill would give the Homeland Security Department. The measure would set up a new center at DHS to protect the country’s computer networks, power grid and critical infrastructure from cyberattack.

Despite the group’s fears about some of the bill’s provisions, Bond saluted the senators for taking up the cybersecurity cause and for acknowledging industry’s role in improving computer security.

TechAmerica expressed support for parts of the bill that would elevate offices dealing with cybersecurity at DHS and in the White House. The group also called the bill’s provisions to reform the Federal Information Security Management Enhancement Act, to support research and development in cybersecurity, and to bolster the federal cybersecurity workforce a significant step forward. In addition, Bond said there were positive aspects of the senators’ approach to dealing with supply chain security.

Previously, the group also expressed worries about a comprehensive cybersecurity bill proposed by Sens. Jay Rockefeller (D-W. Va.) and Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) that cleared the Senate Commerce Committee in March.