Ted Yoho Wants Feds and Private Sector to Work Against Cyber Threats

U.S. Rep. Ted Yoho, R-Fla., showcased his support for bills improving cyber security on Thursday.

Yoho highlighted his support for the Protecting Cyber Networks Act which revises the National Security Act of 1947 so that the director of national intelligence (DNI) works with various federal departments to find the best procedure to inform the private sector about cyber threats. The North Florida congressman also pointed to his support of the National Cybersecurity Protection Advancement Act which amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 so the federal government and the private sector coordinate more to battle cyber threats.

The threat of cyberattacks to our country and the American people are growing in their sophistication and frequency by the minute, Yoho said on Thursday. Whether it is the federal government, private business, or the identity theft of individual Americans, we must do all we can to combat this threat. The two cyber security bills we passed out of the House this week make protection a priority, while preserving the personal liberties of all Americans.

These bills encourage the voluntary sharing of information to strengthen cyber defense, require congressional reporting and oversight, and mandate sunsets in seven years. This will require congressional approval in order for this legislation to continue past the seven years, Yoho added. Cyberattacks are a serious threat to us all. By interconnecting our defenses between the federal government and private sector we can better minimize the severity of these unseen, yet devastating, attacks.