Data Security

New Cybersecurity Bill Introduced in the Senate

Published: Jun. 18, 2010

Updated: Oct. 05, 2020

On June 10, 2010, Senators Joseph Lieberman (D-CT), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Thomas Carper (D-DE) introduced a new bill aimed at strengthening the country’s cybersecurity capabilities.  The bill, titled, “The Protecting Cyberspace as a National Asset Act of 2010,” (S. 3480) would create an Office of Cyber Policy in the Executive Office of the President.  The Office would be run by a Director, who would advise the President on cybersecurity matters, lead federal cybersecurity efforts, and develop a national cyberspace policy strategy.   

The bill would also create a National Center for Cybersecurity and Communications (NCCC), which would include the U.S. Computer Emergency Response Team (US-CERT), and would lead federal efforts to protect public and private sector networks. The NCCC would be tasked to work with the private sector to develop security requirements for critical infrastructure components (e.g., the power grid and telecommunications networks) and to develop and promote best practices for cybersecurity.

Among the bill’s other provisions is a section that would authorize the President to take limited emergency measures to protect critical infrastructure in the event of a cyberattack.  The President would be required to notify Congress before taking such measures, and the measures automatically expire in 30 days unless extended by the President. 

 The full text of the bill, which has been referred to the Senate Homeland Security Committee, can be found here.