"House Passes Cybersecurity Bills Focusing on Energy Sector, Information Sharing"
The US House of Representatives recently passed two cybersecurity bills, the Energy Cybersecurity University Leadership Act and the RANSOMWARE Act. RANSOMWARE is an acronym for "Reporting Attacks from Nations Selected for Oversight and Monitoring Web Attacks and Ransomware from Enemies." According to the lawmakers, the RANSOMWARE Act would "strengthen the federal government's efforts to respond to recent ransomware and other cyberattacks from foreign adversaries." This bill will require the FTC to report on cross-border complaints involving ransomware and other cyber threats. The bill specifically mentions cyberattacks conducted by Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran. The second bill that passed the House this week is the Energy Cybersecurity University Leadership Act, which requires the Department of Energy (DoE) to establish an Energy Cybersecurity University Leadership Program. As part of this program, graduate students and postdoctoral researchers would be provided financial assistance for taking courses that integrate cybersecurity and disciplines associated with the needs of the energy infrastructure. The bill will also require the DoE to ensure that these students and researchers can gain experience at national laboratories and utilities.