Udall Laments Cyber Security Filibuster

Sen. Mark Udall (D-Colo.) said it was “disappointing” and “dangerous” that the Senate chose last week to filibuster the Cybersecurity Act of 2012. Bill supporters, like Udall, claim that the legislation would prevent cyber attacks on critical American networks and infrastructure. “The threat of cyber attack isn’t impending—it’s here,” stated Udall in an Aug. 2 release. He added, “We already know many of the steps we need to take to mitigate or prevent these attacks. The only thing getting in the way is politics.” Several days earlier, Udall introduced amendements to the legislation, including one provision that called for permanently establishing cyber defense training programs at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. “If we don’t strengthen our defenses, our computer networks will be increasingly vulnerable to attacks, which have already been launched against such critical systems as our nuclear infrastructure, financial institutions, and water treatment facilities,” he wrote. (CSA full text; caution. large-sized file.)