Shimkus, Bost support cyber-sharing act, measure now in Senate

From Illinois Business Journal news services

WASHINGTON  — Congressman Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro, and John Shimkus, R-Collinsville, recently voted with the House majority to back the bipartisan Protecting Cyber Networks Act (H.R. 1731), which allows private companies to protect American consumers by voluntarily sharing cyber threat information with each other and the federal government, excluding the National Security Agency or the Department of Defense.

“Every day we see headlines where criminals are targeting American businesses for cyber-attacks, espionage, and theft,” said Bost. “These thugs steal our intellectual property, trade secrets, and even sensitive government information. The House has acted to allow American companies to share cyber threat information with each other and the proper authorities to help catch these thieves and strengthen our security networks. Just as importantly, we’ve taken critical steps to ensure that the American people’s privacy and civil liberties are safeguarded.”

The Protecting Cyber Networks Act includes the following:

· Requires companies to remove personal information before they share cyber threat information with the government;

· Creates restrictions on the use, retention and searching of any data voluntarily shared by the private sectors with the government;

· Enforces strong privacy and civil liberties protections and permits individuals to sue the federal government for intentional privacy violations in federal court;

· Provides strong public and Congressional oversight; and

The bill contains an amendment calling for the law to sunset after seven years.

Southwestern Illinois’ other congressman, Rodney Davis, R-Taylorville, did not cast a vote on the proposal, which has been sent to the Senate.