Cybersecurity and Internet Safety Standards Act

Computers

Except as otherwise specifically provided, the term computers means computers and other devices that connect to the Internet.

Providers

The term providers means Internet service providers, communications service providers, electronic messaging providers, electronic mail providers, and other persons who provide a service or capability to enable computers to connect to the Internet.

Secretary

Except as otherwise specifically provided, the term Secretary means the Secretary of Homeland Security.

While the Internet has had a profound impact on the daily lives of the people of the United States by enhancing communications, commerce, education, and socialization between and among persons regardless of their location, computers may be used, exploited, and compromised by terrorists, criminals, spies, and other malicious actors, and, therefore, computers pose a risk to computer networks, critical infrastructure, and key resources in the United States. Indeed, users of computers are generally unaware that their computers may be used, exploited, and compromised by others with spam, viruses, and other malicious software and agents.

Since computer networks, critical infrastructure, and key resources of the United States are at risk of being compromised, disrupted, damaged, or destroyed by terrorists, criminals, spies, and other malicious actors who use computers, cybersecurity and Internet safety is an urgent homeland security issue that needs to be addressed by providers, technology companies, and persons who use computers.

The Government and the private sector need to work together to develop and enforce minimum voluntary or mandatory cybersecurity and Internet safety standards for users of computers to prevent terrorists, criminals, spies, and other malicious actors from compromising, disrupting, damaging, or destroying the computer networks, critical infrastructure, and key resources of the United States.