Federal Government Information Technology

Agency Cybersecurity Waivers Would Face New Time Limits, Oversight Under New Bill

NextGov: With a new proposal that would require federal agencies to get permission from the Office of Management and Budget to opt-out of implementing specific cybersecurity practices— encryption of sensitive information and multifactor authentication—Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Rep. Lauren Underwood, D-Ill., are challenging the status quo in cybersecurity policy.

“To secure our nation’s infrastructure, we must prioritize that federal agencies are adhering to the best cybersecurity practices,” Underwood, the new chair of the Committee on Homeland Security’s subcommittee on cybersecurity, infrastructure protection and innovation said in a press release of the bill’s introduction. “I’m pleased to join Senator Wyden to introduce this timely legislation.”

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