Cyber Sense Act of 2021

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2928, the Cyber Sense Act, which is the second of two grid security bills that I have introduced and, again, worked closely on with my good friend and colleague, the gentleman from California (Mr. McNerney).

This bipartisan legislation will establish a testing process under a newly established voluntary Cyber Sense program to test the cybersecurity of products and technologies intended for use in the bulk-power system, including products relating to industrial control systems and operational technologies, such as supervisory control and data acquisition systems.

It would provide technical assistance to electric utilities, product manufacturers, and other electricity sector stakeholders to develop solutions to mitigate identified cybersecurity vulnerabilities in products and technologies tested under the Cyber Sense program.

H.R. 2928 would also develop guidance for electric utilities for procurement of products and technologies and consider incentives to encourage the use of analysis and results of testing under the program in the design of products and technologies for use in the bulk-power system.

The SolarWinds attack exposed a vulnerability in our supply chains that should serve as a wake-up call to the energy sector. Similar attacks on products used in grid operators' IT networks could go undetected and, when exposed, result in the costly process of disabling and removing such products from operation.

Having a program that would allow for the testing of a product's cybersecurity would help grid operators share information and maintain coordination with the Federal Government to keep pace with evolving cybersecurity threats. H.R. 2928 would accomplish these goals.

Again, I want to thank Chairman Pallone, Chairman Rush, Leader Rodgers, and Leader Upton for their support.

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Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I have no other speakers, and I am ready to close.

Mr. Speaker, again, as the gentleman from California mentioned about the ongoing cyberattacks we have had in this country, it is absolutely essential that we get this bill across the finish line. H.R. 2928 is going to help accomplish these goals and protect our grid out there.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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