Businesses are advocating for a unified approach to cybersecurity regulations, expressing concerns about the current mix of federal laws. The White House has shared feedback it received on the issue, emphasizing the need to untangle existing regulations to enhance both security and competitiveness. National Cyber Director Harry Coker highlighted the widespread belief among respondents that the lack of regulatory harmonization poses challenges for cybersecurity outcomes and business competitiveness, regardless of sector or size.
The Office of the National Cyber Director (ONCD) received 86 responses to a request for information, including input from 11 critical infrastructure sectors. This feedback comes ahead of a Senate Homeland Security Committee hearing on inconsistent digital regulations, where witnesses from ONCD and the Government Accountability Office are scheduled to testify. Chair Gary Peters is reportedly circulating legislation to address overlapping cybersecurity regulations by establishing an interagency committee led by ONCD.
The call for regulatory harmonization reflects growing recognition of the complexities and challenges businesses face in navigating a patchwork of federal cyber laws. This issue is particularly pressing as cyber threats evolve and digital infrastructure becomes increasingly vital to national security and economic competitiveness. Collaboration between government agencies and industry stakeholders will be essential in developing effective, streamlined cybersecurity regulations that bolster security while promoting innovation and economic growth.
