The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee approved by voice vote on August 3 two cybersecurity bills whose next stop is consideration by the full Senate.
Among the bills approved during a committee markup session is the Federal Data Center Enhancement Act, which was introduced late last month by Sens. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., John Cornyn, R-Texas, and committee Chairman Gary Peters, D-Mich. The bill aims to strengthen Federal data center security to protect against cyberattacks, natural disasters, and terrorist attacks.
The measure would direct the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to coordinate a government-wide effort to develop requirements to protect Federal data centers, with a focus on cyber intrusions, data center availability, mission-critical uptime, and resilience against physical attacks, wildfires, and other natural disasters.
Also approved by the committee is the Quantum Computer Cybersecurity Preparedness Act, which is sponsored by Sens. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., and Rob Portman, R-Ohio, who is ranking member of the committee.
The legislation aims to get in front of cybersecurity risks posed by the eventual advent of quantum computing, and would require OMB to move forward with migrating and prioritizing information technology to post-quantum cryptography for many Federal agencies.
“The development of quantum computers is one of the next frontiers in technology, and with this emerging technology comes new risks as well,” said Sen. Hassan last month. “Our national security information must remain secure as this technology quickly develops, and it is essential that the Federal government is prepared to address cybersecurity concerns
