US DHS Cybersecurity Legislative Proposal

Today, we are more interconnected than ever before – in an instant, we can communicate with a friend on the other side of the world, shop online, and research any topic. These global networks are critical to our economy, allowing us to communicate, travel, and power our homes.
But this increased interconnectivity also presents an increased risk of theft, fraud, and abuse to which no country, industry, community, or individual is immune. DHS is committed to ensuring that cyberspace is safe and secure, enables innovation and prosperity, and protects privacy and civil liberties. Together with public and private sector partners, we are working to build a safe, secure cyberspace where the American way of life can thrive.
To that end, DHS’s cybersecurity mission is two-fold: first, we work with the private sector, states, and municipalities to support the cybersecurity efforts of critical infrastructure owners and operators.  Second, we are responsible for securing networks for federal civilian departments and agencies – the .gov domain. President Obama has proposed legislation that would give us the tools to execute our cybersecurity mission more effectively.  This legislative proposal focuses on clarifying authorities, collaborating with the private sector, and driving measurable progress and outcomes.
The President’s proposal would establish national standards, protect federal networks, and allow DHS to provide enhanced voluntary assistance to our private sector and state, local, tribal, and territorial government partners.  At the same time, it includes important safeguards to protect the privacy and civil liberties of the American public.
Over the coming weeks, we will discuss in this proposal in greater detail, and highlight more of the work we are already doing every day to secure cyberspace. Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility in which all players have a role to play – government, private sector, and individuals. By making it easier to work together, we will better be able to protect cyberspace and the critical infrastructure upon which we all rely.

Source: US DHS web site