Maritime Cybersecurity Act
Sen. Scott Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Protect U.S. Ports from Foreign Cyber Attacks
The Maritime Cybersecurity Act is currently in the early stages of the legislative process. It was recently introduced in the Senate and sent to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation for review. The bill is actively moving as it waits for the committee to discuss its next steps.
Legislative Progress
This bill addresses a popular bipartisan concern about foreign influence in U.S. infrastructure. While it has support from both parties, it still needs to pass through committees.
Key Points
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
Owners and operators of smaller port facilities regulated under MTSA will face new compliance burdens, including annual reporting on foreign-made technology, certifying NIST standards compliance, and potentially replacing non-compliant equipment. While this adds cost and administrative work, it also strengthens their facilities against cyberattacks that could shut down operations and cause major financial losses.
Milestones
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Introduced in Senate
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Votes
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
Related News
4 articlesAddressing cyber threats to critical infrastructure
The bipartisan Maritime Cybersecurity Act, introduced by Sens. Rick Scott and Andy Kim, directs DHS to conduct annual vulnerability assessments of software and hardware at maritime facilities to identify and mitigate cyber weaknesses in the face of foreign threats.
USA: Bill on Maritime Cybersecurity Act introduced
A new bill, the Maritime Cybersecurity Act, would require maritime facility owners to report cybersecurity risks and compliance with NIST standards annually. It targets 'covered software or hardware' that poses risks, especially from foreign entities of concern.
Maritime Cybersecurity Act Introduced to Counter Foreign Threats
Senators have introduced the Maritime Cybersecurity Act to bolster port security. The legislation mandates annual vulnerability checks by the Coast Guard and requires port operators to disclose the use of technology from foreign countries considered security risks.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Maritime Cybersecurity Act
Data Sources
Sponsor
Cosponsors
(1)Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.