Rep Eshoo Bill Vaccinates Against Majority of Hacks with ‘Cyber Hygiene’ and Network Security Management

House Communications Subcommittee Ranking Member Anna Eshoo (D-CA) introduced legislation to combat the alarming rate of cyberattacks and cybercrime against US computer networks. The Promoting Good Cyber Hygiene Act builds on President Barack Obama’s 2013 Executive Order by instructing the National Institute of Standards and Technology, in consultation with the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Homeland Security, to establish voluntary best practices for network security, such as not using a default password and regularly applying software updates. The Promoting Good Cyber Hygiene Act would help both system administrators and consumers better protect their networks and devices against known cyber threats by:

• Establishing a baseline set of voluntary best practices
• Ensuring these practices are reviewed and updated annually
• Making the established best practices available in a clear and concise manner on a publicly accessible website
• Instructing the Department of Homeland Security to study cybersecurity threats relating to mobile devices