McCaul Urges Movement of Agreed-Upon Cybersecurity Legislation in Wake of FBI Arrests Announces Hearing on ‘Anonymous', Similar Groups' Threat to Nat'l Security
Washington, D.C. – On the heels of the FBI’s arrest and charges of six computer hacking suspects tied to the group "Anonymous", Congressman Michael McCaul (R-TX) urged the expedited movement of key cybersecurity legislation on which widespread agreement already exists. The bills are aimed at safeguarding intellectual property and critical infrastructure by fortifying public and private networks.
“We should be able to move on requirements to strengthen federal networks, update information sharing protections and criminal penalties, coordinating cyber R&D, and improving the federal cyber workforce,” said Rep. McCaul, co-chair of the CSIS Commission on Cybersecurity for the 44th President that submitted cybersecurity recommendations to President Obama upon taking office. “Hardening our networks would make it more difficult for Anonymous and other groups to break in, and increasing penalties would act as a deterrent.”
“Right now the legal advantages are with the attacker,” Rep. McCaul said. "This is not the time to get bogged down on comprehensive pieces of legislation that will ultimately delay smaller pieces where we have agreement. The time is now and the need for reform is critical."
Hearing Announced
Rep. McCaul also announced Wednesday that he plans a hearing before the HomelandSecurity Oversight & Investigations Subcommittee, which he chairs, on whether groups such as ‘Anonymous’ pose a threat to national security. The target date is late April.
"While Anonymous' motives appear to be ideological, the group has demonstrated it is a threat to the U.S. economy. That alone is a threat to our national security," McCaul said.
Tuesday's announcement of arrests for hackings into international media networks and a private intelligence firm, and for interfering with law enforcement and launching denial of service attacks against Visa, MasterCard and PayPal, are examples of cyber crimes that jeopardize personal information, intellectualproperty and cause vast economic damage to individuals as well as the private sector.
Last month, the director of the National Security Agency, Gen. Keith Alexander, cautioned that groups such as Anonymous could pose a threat to critical infrastructure, including power grids.
House Vote
Congressman McCaul’s Cybersecurity Enhancement Act is among several cybersecurity bills that have passed committee and are expected to go before the House this spring. The Act will help harden federal networks, spur research and development, build our American cyber workforce and enable the government, universities and private sector to collaborate more easily.
Rep. McCaul founded the House Cybersecurity Caucus five years ago, recognizing the enormity of the issue and its potential effects on our economy and national security.
# # #