Dive Brief:

• Reps. Ted Lieu, D-Calif., and Will Hurd, R-Texas, wrote a letter to their colleagues Monday encouraging them to use end-to-end encryption to allow for more secure communication. 

• Both former computer science majors, Lieu and Hurd are on a mission to improve the security culture within the House of Representatives.

• "There are a number of easy-to-use applications that have end-to-end encryption for mobile communications," Lieu and Hurd wrote in the letter. "While this method is not foolproof, the use of these apps constructs a huge barrier to your communications being deciphered." 

Dive Insight:

The push for increased use of encryption is in stark contrast to a recent battle with Apple over law enforcement’s ability to access encrypted devices as well as recently introduced legislation along the same lines.

But, Lieu and Hurd are working to help colleagues understand the risks they face using non-encrypted technology.

"The ease with which foreign governments, criminal syndicates and everyday hackers can access your smartphone, tablet, desktop or laptop is frightening," the congressmen wrote. "Your devices will be subject to continuing cyberattacks."

This is not the first time Lieu has highlighted the need for cybersecurity measures. Last month, "60 Minutes" hacked into Lieu’s cell phone, with permission, to demonstrate a simple loophole in cell phone security that allowed hackers to eavesdrop on phone calls, read text messages and pinpoint someone’s location.

Meanwhile, Sens. Richard Burr, R-N.C., and Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., introduced a bill in April that would allow judges to order tech companies to comply with law enforcement requests to access data on encrypted devices.

Tech companies have steadily moved toward providing more encryption. WhatsApp, for example, recently announced that the latest version of the app gives users full encryption as the default setting for all calls, messages, photos, videos, files and voice messages.