Senator Gary Peters, ranking member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, introduced the Protecting America from Cyber Threats (PACT) Act to replace the expired CISA 2015, which provided liability protections for entities sharing cyber threat information. The original law, regarded as highly successful by industry groups and cybersecurity professionals, expired on October 1. Senators including Rand Paul oppose renewal efforts due to confusion between the law and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.
Peters emphasizes this legislation is about cybersecurity protections and liability shields rather than agency reauthorization. His bill proposes a 10-year extension, rejecting shorter-term fixes which stakeholders deem inadequate for stable cybersecurity operations. Some organizations already express nervousness over the lapse, as uncertainty may lead them to rethink information-sharing practices, potentially weakening collective cyber defense.
The controversy also involves concerns about free speech guarantees tied to CISA as an agency, which Peters’ bill excludes. Political deadlock contributed to a government shutdown and delayed legislative progress. Peters is optimistic about bipartisan support for his bill if it reaches the Senate floor, with ongoing lobbying from various stakeholders including the Trump administration. This extension has broad implications for national cybersecurity posture and information sharing among private and public sectors.
👉 Pročitaj original: CyberScoop
