The leadership of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee introduced amendments to the Federal Information Security Management Act of 2002 on Thursday.
Called the Federal Information Security Amendments Act of 2013, the act looks to improve the framework for ensuring security over information technology systems that support the federal government, the committee said.
The act also aims to establish a mechanism for stronger oversight through a focus on automated and continuous monitoring of cybersecurity threats and the implementation of regular threat assessments.
“Currently, federal agencies are struggling with cyber-security threats,” said Congressman Darrell Issa, chairman of the committee. “This update to FISMA will incorporate the last decade of technological innovation, while also addressing FISMA shortcomings realized over the past years.”
Issa is joined on the legislation by Ranking Minority Member Rep. Elijah Cummings, Government Operations Subcommittee Chairman John Mica and Government Operations Subcommittee Ranking Member Gerry Connolly.
The House of Representatives passed similar legislation, HR 4257, the Federal Information Security Amendments Act of 2012, on April 26, 2012, by a unanimous voice vote. The Senate did not act on the legislation.
