HOUSE APPROVES SECURITY LEGISLATION

The House on Monday passed legislation to improve the security of federal internet-connected devices, with the bill garnering bipartisan support.

The Internet of Things (IoT) Cybersecurity Improvement Act, passed unanimously by the House, would require all internet-connected devices purchased by the federal government — including computers, mobile devices, and other products with the ability to connect to the internet — to comply with minimum security recommendations issued by the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

The legislation would also require private sector groups providing devices to the federal government to notify agencies if the internet-connected device has a vulnerability that could leave the government open to attacks.

The bill is sponsored in the House by Reps. Robin Kelly (D-Ill.), Will Hurd (R-Texas), and over two dozen other bipartisan sponsors.

The bill was approved by the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee last year. Committee Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) said on the House floor Monday that the bill would help address the “silent war” that the U.S. government faces from hackers on a daily basis.

“Currently there are no national standards to ensure the security of these connected devices,” Maloney said. “Protecting our nation from cyber threats is an ongoing, interactive process that requires established, baseline standards and constant vigilance.”