Northrop Grumman [NOC] Chief Wes Bush last week sent a letter to Congress backing legislation that would bolster the protection of critical infrastructure and facilities against cyber threats and promote the sharing of that threat information between the private and public sectors.
In his March 6 letter, which was released on March 8 by the sponsors of a comprehensive cyber security bill in the Senate, Bush also says his company supports cyber security legislation that “requires autonomous” full-time monitoring of the nation’s networks to obtain situational awareness, privacy and data protections, makes the federal acquisition process more agile to be able to more quickly deal with cyber threats, promotes an awareness of cyber vulnerabilities within the programs and products that the government acquires, and increases spending on cyber security technology and the training and development of the current and future workforce around cyber security.
“Northrop Grumman appreciates the open dialogue with Members of Congress and staff on this important issue and looks forward to continue working closely with you as we take steps to make our nation safer and more secure from cyber threats,” Bush writes.
In releasing Bush’s letter, the sponsors of the Cybersecurity Act of 2012 said that their bill is the only one focusing on the protection of critical infrastructure against cyber threats. The bill is sponsored by Sens. Joseph Lieberman (I/D-Conn.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Jay Rockefeller (D-W. Va.) and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.).
An alternative bill has also been introduced by eight Republicans in the Senate who say the Cybersecurity Act would create unnecessary regulation of private critical infrastructure and that improved information sharing between the government and private sector can be achieved by eliminating legal barriers (Defense Daily, March 2).