McCaul Cyber Amendments Limit Regulations, Single Out Foreign Threats to Critical Infrastructure

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Homeland Security Committee passed two cybersecurity amendments offered by Congressman Michael McCaul (R-TX) aimed at protecting private companies from burdensome regulations and identifying the greatest threats to critical infrastructure. The amendments are attached to H.R. 3674, the PRECISE Act, which passed out of the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection and Security Technologies.

Amendment 39 – Identify Threats

Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to report to Congress on which foreign entities, including Foreign Terrorist Organizations, pose the biggest threat to our critical infrastructure.

“The recent Univision report revealing that Iranian and Venezuelan diplomats trained Mexican student to attack US nuclear facilities, illustrates that our enemies know where to hurt us most- with a targeted attack on our critical infrastructure,” said Congressman McCaul.

VIDEO: Full Remarks on Amendment

Amendment 40 – Do No Harm

Ensures that critical infrastructure companies will not have additional regulations forced on them by their existing regulatory agencies outside of the recognized performance standards that many companies will already be familiar with, if not already following. If a critical infrastructure company is not following the suggested risked- based performance standards, then DHS will work on creating market-based incentives to encourage the critical infrastructure company to mitigate the risk.

“The private sector owns most of our nation’s critical infrastructure and commits considerable resources to ensuring thattheir computer networks are safe from outside attacks,” Rep. McCaul said. “As we go forward we must ensure that the heavy hand of government does not harm industry.”

VIDEO: Full Remarks on Amendment

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