Rep. Rice Bill Requires Cybersecurity Training for All House Members

LongIsland.com

During Cybersecurity Awareness Month, Reps. Rice & Katko make bipartisan call for all Members to receive mandatory information security training.

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Kathleen Rice, United States Representative for New York's 4th congressional district.

Photo by: Office of U.S. Congresswoman Kathleen Rice.

Long Island, NY - October 25, 2017 - U.S. Representative Kathleen Rice, a member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, introduced new legislation today that will require all House Members to undergo annual cyber- and information security training, just as is already required for House officers and employees. H.Res. 585, the bipartisan Congressional Cybersecurity Training Resolution of 2017 co-led by Rep. John Katko (R-NY), will require the Chief Administrative Officer of the U.S. House of Representatives to carry out annual information security training for House Members, officers and employees. The legislation comes during Cybersecurity Awareness Month and is intended to help ensure that all House Members and staff are fully aware of the rising threat of cyberattacks and have the knowledge and skills they need to protect the integrity of data and information on government systems. New Members would be required to undergo this training within 30 days of beginning service to the House, and all Members would be required to complete annual training by January 31st of each year.
 
“We’re facing a constant threat of cyberattacks on American government, political and private-sector systems, and Members of Congress have a responsibility to protect the integrity of the systems we use every day,” said Representative Kathleen Rice. “Our employees and House officers are already required to take mandatory information security training, and Members should be held to the exact same standard.”
 
“At a time when we face unprecedented cyber threats, it is critical that all Members of Congress are informed of the most pressing threats and best practices for preventing cyberattacks,” said Representative Katko.  “Security awareness training is vital to any organization or business.  Employees of the House are already required to undergo regular training -- and Members of Congress should not be exempt.”
 
The full text of H.Res. 585 is available here.