Senate Passes IoT Cybersecurity Improvement Act

The Senate yesterday by unanimous consent passed legislation to mandate certain security requirements for internet of things devices purchased by the federal government, moving forward legislation that had been stalled on Capitol Hill since 2017.

The Internet of Things Cybersecurity Improvement Act was passed by the House in September. Reps. Will Hurd (R-Texas) and Robin Kelly (D-Ill.) were the sponsors. The Senate passed the bill on Nov. 17 without amendments meaning the legislation can be sent to the president.

Sens. Mark Warner (D-Va.) and Cory Gardner (R-Colo.), co-chairs of the Senate Cybersecurity Caucus, have been backing versions of the legislation since 2017.

“While more and more products and even household appliances today have software functionality and internet connectivity, too few incorporate even basic safeguards and protections, posing a real risk to individual and national security,” Warner said in a statement following the vote. “I urge the president to sign this bill into law without delay.”