Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act (CISPA)

• Allows the government to share cyber threat information with private companies and encourages private companies to share cyber threat data
• Allows the government to use shared cyber threat information to protect against cyber attack and to investigate cyber crime.

• Passed by the House in a 248-168 vote

• Originally tasked the Homeland Security Department with developing mandatory security standards that private companies operating critical infrastructure, such as power companies, had to meet.
• To garner more Republican support, that provision was scaled back in favor of a voluntary system.

• The pared-down version was approved by the House Homeland Security Committee in April. It awaits a full vote by the House.

Strengthening and Enhancing Cybersecurity by Using Research, Education, Information, and Technology Act of 2012 (SECURE IT)

• Does not give DHS new authority to enforce cyber safeguards, relies on voluntary approach by industry to share information
• Cyber threat information would be shared through existing federal cybersecurity centers run by the National Security Agency

• Has been referred to the Senate committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation
• Reps. Mary Bono Mack (R-Calif.) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) introduced a House version of the bill

• Expands the role of DHS in securing critical infrastructure by setting mandatory security standards
• Allows private entities to share cyber threat information with the government through cyber exchanges

• Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said he will hold floor debate in the Senate on the bill in early July
• Has been endorsed by the White House

Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2012

• Calls for federal agencies to create a strategic plan for cyber research and development
• Authorizes new appropriations to the National Science Foundation to issue grants
• Requires President to submit a report to Congress describing cyber workforce needs of the federal government

• Passed the House in a 395-10 vote.

• Updates the 2002 law creating the Federal Information Security Management Act
• Reasserts the role of OMB — as opposed to DHS — in developing and overseeing agency cyber guidance

• Approved by the House in a voice vote