WASHINGTON — The House on Wednesday passed legislation designed to thwart cyberattacks by encouraging private companies to share information about the attackers’ methods with one another and the government.
The measure, which passed 307 to 116, grants protection from liability if companies follow certain procedures. Many companies have been reluctant to share internal data about cyberattacks for fear of being sued, leaving both the firms and the government less equipped to battle an onslaught of intrusions, including campaigns sponsored by foreign states to purloin American intellectual property.
“At some point, we need to stop just hearing about cyberattacks that steal our most valuable trade secrets and our most private information, and actually do something to stop them,” said Rep. Adam Schiff, ranking Democrat on the Intelligence Committee and one of the measure’s principal authors.
The four members of Arkansas’ House delegation, all Republicans, voted for the legislation.
In a statement, the White House praised the bill that passed Wednesday while also expressing concerns, arguing that the liability protections in some cases went too far and could ultimately reduce the incentive for companies to report breaches.