A number of Senators – led by Sen. Hutchison (R-TX) and Sen. McCain (R-AZ) – introduced an updated version of their Strengthening and Enhancing Cybersecurity by Using Research, Education, Information, and Technology Act or “SECURE IT” Act today. This new bill makes important changes to address the privacy concerns that have been raised during both the House and Senate debate. It also clarifies the legislation to ensure it does not place unnecessary reporting and regulatory requirements on manufacturers. 

This bill will help facilitate the sharing of information between the public and private sector – a tool manufacturers do not have now and have told Congress it should be the highest priority if cybersecurity legislation is to help protect critical infrastructure. It does not increase the cost or regulatory burden on companies. This means manufacturers can have the flexibility to continue to drive research and engineering that will push cybersecurity innovation and improvement faster than any government mandated standard. 

The NAM supports this updated legislation and continues to call on the Senate to move the debate forward and pass legislation that helps to increase the readiness level of our nation’s critical assets against cyberthreats.