Telecommunications Cybersecurity and Resilience Act

This bill would create a Telecommunications Cybersecurity Working Group within the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), made up of federal agency representatives and industry members. Within 18 months, the group would develop voluntary cybersecurity best practices for phone and internet carriers and their suppliers, and review them at least every 2 years. Companies could choose to be evaluated by approved independent assessors and seek a federal certification lasting up to 2 years. Certified companies could use their certification as a defense in court to show they took reasonable care, and states could not enforce cybersecurity rules inconsistent with the Act for certified companies. The bill also adds whistleblower protections and requires annual reports to Congress.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

• Mark R. Warner Democrat sponsor
• 1 cosponsors