Lawmakers Expected to Markup Cybersecurity Bill in Closed-door Session

House lawmakers are expected to markup the proposed cybersecurity legislation in a private closed-door session today in preparation for a floor vote next week.

The proposed legislation creates a framework that would allow private sector companies and the federal government to share information on the latest cyber-threats, even the classified threats. The bill, if it becomes law, would also provide liability protection to companies who get hacked if they can show they shared information and they acted in good faith to protect their infrastructure.

Supporters of the bill have pointed to the wave of denial-of-service attacks against American banks and the high-profile incidents against media companies and other organizations to underscore the seriousness of the threat. Many lawmakers believe the Iranian and Chinese governments are behind some of these incidents.