SECURE IT Act

Strengthening Election Cybersecurity to Uphold Respect for Elections through Independent Testing Act or the SECURE IT Act

This bill requires certain actions to strengthen the security of U.S. voting systems.

Specifically, the bill requires the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) to conduct penetration testing (an evaluation method that enables researchers to search for vulnerabilities in a system) as part of the testing, certification, decertification, and recertification of voting system hardware and software by accredited laboratories.

Further, the National Institute of Standards and Technology must recommend entities to the EAC to carry out this penetration testing and the EAC must vote on the accreditation of any recommended entity.

The bill also directs the EAC to create a five-year pilot program for participating cybersecurity researchers to test for and disclose cybersecurity vulnerabilities in election systems.

The SECURE IT Act, also known as Bill 118 s 1500, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress. The main goal of this bill is to enhance cybersecurity measures and protect against cyber threats.

The SECURE IT Act focuses on promoting information sharing between the government and private sector entities to improve cybersecurity defenses. It encourages the sharing of threat information and best practices to prevent cyber attacks.

Additionally, the bill aims to streamline the process for reporting cyber incidents and breaches, making it easier for organizations to report and respond to threats in a timely manner. It also includes provisions for enhancing the cybersecurity workforce and promoting research and development in the field of cybersecurity. Overall, the SECURE IT Act is designed to strengthen the nation's cybersecurity infrastructure and protect against cyber threats in an increasingly digital world.