House bill would require DHS report on threat to seaports

The House Intelligence Committee’s annual spy policy bill — approved by the committee on Friday — would order the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to submit a report to Congress on the threat of cyberattacks on U.S. seaports.

The security of the maritime shipping industry has been in the spotlight as ports have increased the amount of automation used to move cargo from ships to trucks and rail, raising fears about potential cyberattacks.

{mosads}The risk has drawn the attention of some lawmakers, who are concerned that commercial ports have been left unprotected despite the more than $1 trillion worth of cargo that moves through them annually.

The Intelligence Committee’s proposal would delegate the undersecretary of Homeland Security for Intelligence and Analysis — currently Francis X. Taylor — to submit the report to congressional intelligence committees.

It awaits approval by the full House.

The 2017 Intelligence Authorization Act is not the only legislative offering attempting to bolster maritime cybersecurity.

A separate measure unanimously approved in the House and awaiting floor time in the Senate would direct the DHS to create voluntary cyber guidelines for ports that would increase the reporting of cyber threats and overall exchange of information. The agency would also help develop and implement a maritime cybersecurity risk model.

“There appears to currently be little coordination between port landlords and tenants in addressing cyber threats, and federal agencies have only recently started to consider the impact that a cyber-attack could pose to our maritime infrastructure,” Rep. Norma Torres (D-Calif.), the bill’s sponsor, said in December.