McCarthy introduces legislation to sanction foreign hackers targeting COVID-19 research

[InfoSec News <alerts () infosecnews org>]

https://thehill.com/policy/cybersecurity/508403-mccarthy-introduces-legislation-to-sanction-foreign-hackers-targeting

By Maggie Miller
The Hill
July 21, 2020

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) on Tuesday introduced 
legislation to sanction foreign hackers involved in attempts to target and 
steal research on COVID-19 vaccines and treatments.

The Defend COVID Research from Hackers Act would allow the president to impose 
sanctions on foreign individuals engaging in hacking activity that compromises 
economic and national security or public health and freeze any American assets 
of these individuals.

The bill also requires the secretary of State, in consultation with the 
director of national intelligence, to submit a report to Congress within 180 
days of the bill’s passage on “the extent of known cyber-enabled activities or 
attempted cyber-enabled activities” around COVID-19.

McCarthy said in a statement that Congress should take steps to protect 
American researchers working on a “Victory Vaccine” to combat COVID-19, vowing 
that the U.S. would share any vaccine it developed with the world.

[...]

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