With the advent of the internet, our lives have become increasingly digitized, and as a result, we are more vulnerable to cyber-attacks. Consequently, cybersecurity is top of mind for everyone — even governments. Various countries have passed legislation to help protect their citizens from cybercrime in response to this threat.
In the United States, for example, the Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2014 strengthens the country’s critical infrastructure against cyber threats. The act also establishes a national cybersecurity awareness campaign and encourages public-private partnerships to share information about cybersecurity threats.
Similarly, the EU has adopted the Network and Information Security Directive, which requires member states to take measures to protect their citizens from cyberattacks. As our lives become more and more digital, it is important that we are aware of the legislation that is in place to protect us from cybersecurity threats.
2022 Enactments & Introductions
This year, a number of groundbreaking cybersecurity and data privacy laws are set to effect. It is important to know the latest cybersecurity legislation enacted or introduced in your jurisdiction to stay ahead of the curve. Here’s a sneak peek at some of the most important ones:
2022 Legislation
Here are a few of the most important cybersecurity and privacy issues that are likely to be on the forefront of legislators’ minds:
1. The State and Local Government Cybersecurity Act
The State and Local Government Cybersecurity Act is a piece of legislation that was introduced in 2022. The act is designed to help state and local governments improve their cybersecurity posture by providing them with access to resources and training.
The act would also establish a State and Local Government Cybersecurity Advisory Board, which would be responsible for providing guidance to state and local governments on cybersecurity matters. The board comprises experts from the private sector, academia, and the federal government.
The act is still in the early stages of development, but it has already garnered support from a number of stakeholders. If enacted, the State and Local Government Cybersecurity Act would help to ensure that state and local governments are better prepared to protect their information systems from cyber-attacks.
2. Federal Rotational Cyber Workforce Program Act
The Federal Rotational Cyber Workforce Program Act would help to address the shortage of skilled cyber workers by establishing a program to recruit and train workers for positions in the federal government.
The program would allow workers to rotate through different agencies, allowing them to gain experience in various settings. The bill would also create a scholarship program to help cover the cost of training and education for participants.
By providing workers with the skills they need to succeed in the cyber workforce, the legislation would help to ensure that the federal government has the personnel it needs to protect against cyber threats.
3. Cyber Incident Reporting Act
The proposed Cyber Incident Reporting Act would establish a central repository for reporting and sharing information about cyber incidents and create a standard set of definitions for incident categories.
The repository would be accessible to law enforcement, intelligence agencies, and the private sector and would help to improve information sharing between these groups. The bill would also require the government to issue an annual report on the state of cybersecurity, which would include information on trends in incidents and vulnerabilities.
Finally, the bill would establish a Cybersecurity Advisory Council to provide advice and guidance on national cyber policy. If enacted, the Cyber Incident Reporting Act would help to improve the coordination of cybersecurity efforts across the government and private sectors.
What You Can Do to Stay Ahead of Future Legislation
As new technology and industries emerge, so do new opportunities for legislation. It can be difficult to keep up with the ever-changing landscape of the law, but there are some things you can do to stay ahead of the curve.
1. Keep Procedures and Policies up to Date
Make sure your procedures and policies are always up-to-date. This will help you stay compliant with current legislation and avoid potential penalties. You should also keep an eye on upcoming legislation so that you can be prepared for any changes.
2. Prepare for the Required Software Bill of Materials
One key requirement under the NIS Directive is the preparation of a “Software Bill of Materials” (SBOM). An SBOM is a list of all the software components used in a piece of software, along with version numbers, identification numbers, and other metadata.
The purpose of an SBOM is to allow security researchers to more easily identify which software components are vulnerable to a particular attack and to allow users to determine whether they are using a version of the software that is known to be vulnerable.
To Sum It Up!
A range of different cybersecurity legislation is proposed or currently being developed in different jurisdictions. These bills aim to improve the coordination of cybersecurity efforts, address the shortage of skilled cyber workers, and establish a central repository for reporting cyber incidents.
If you’re concerned about staying ahead of future legislation, or if you need help in compliance with current laws, schedule a consultation with the cybersecurity experts at Cyber Sainik. We can help you understand the latest developments in cybersecurity and develop a plan to keep your organization safe. Contact us today to learn more!