House Passes DHS Cyber Incident Response Act

The House passed the DHS Cyber Incident Response Teams Act (HR-5074) Monday by voice vote, which would authorize the long-term use of cyber response teams at the Department of Homeland Security. The legislation authorizes DHS to “maintain cyber hunt and incident response teams,” which could include private sector specialists. Americans are increasingly relying on computers, iPads and smartphones for personal and professional uses, said lead sponsor and House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Michael McCaul, R-Texas, drawing attention to Russian and Chinese threats. The U.S. needs to do more to stop cyberattacks from foreign adversaries, he said. The legislation was referred to the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.