Dive Brief:
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The House of Representatives Homeland Security Committee introduced a bill Wednesday that would create a new division in the Department of Homeland Security focused on cybersecurity protections.
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The current division—the National Protection and Programs Directorate (NPPD)—would become more of an "operational" agency and be renamed the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection Agency.
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Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, chairman of the committee, said the bill "realigns and streamlines the department's cybersecurity and infrastructure protection missions to more effectively protect the American public against cyberattacks that could cripple the nation."
Dive Insight:
The effort seeks to streamline DHS operations required as part of the Cybersecurity Act of 2015, which set up incentives for businesses to share threat information with each other and with government agencies. The measure is intended to better protect both business and government networks.
The automated information sharing initiative and its rules could impact many businesses and add complexities when it comes to user privacy. In February, the agency rolled out initial guidelines but more clear rules are expected.
DHS is different from most other federal agencies in that it has to pass a law to approve name and structural changes. The reorganizations would allow the agency to better respond to the growing threat landscape, falling in line with its mission to protect parts of both the public and private sector.
