The DHS Cyber Hunt and Incident Response Teams Act

The Senate on Tuesday passed Legislation intended to Boost the Federal Government's Ability to Respond To and Assist Agencies and Private Sector Companies in the Event of Debilitating Cyber Incidents.

The DHS Cyber Hunt and Incident Response Teams Act would require that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) maintain Permanent "Teams" that could be Deployed to Assist in Cases of Cyberattacks or in order to Identify Vulnerabilities that could Allow for a Cyberattack to take place.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) brought the Bill up for Unanimous Consent on Tuesday, with the Legislation Passing shortly after.

The House already Passed its Version in June, sponsored by Reps. Michael McCaul (R-TX, 10th District), Jim Langevin (D-RI, 2nd District), John Katko (R-NY, 24th District), Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD, 2nd District), and John Ratcliffe (R-TX, 4th District).

The Senate Version of the Bill was introduced in February and is Sponsored by Sens. Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Rob Portman (R-OH).

The Legislation had also previously been Approved by the House during the 115th Congress but Failed to get a Vote in the Senate.

The Bill was recently touted by Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY) as a way to Respond to a Rash of Ransomware Attacks that have hit Government Entities and other Groups Nationwide over the past few months.

These Attacks involve Malicious Actors Locking a System and Demanding a Ransom before giving the User Access again.

The Senate Approved the Bill by Voice Vote with a Substitute Amendment from Hassan included, meaning the House must Approve the Changed Legislation before it can be sent to President Trump's Desk for his Signature.









NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker