S-2602 : Still Just a Bill

The Senate introduced S. 2602, a bill to amend Title 10 of the United States Code. The primary aim is to broaden the authority for cyber operations to include the defense of the Department of Defense's critical infrastructure. Key provisions include:

• Expansion of Authority: Extends the scope of authorized cyber operations to encompass the defense of critical Department of Defense infrastructure.
• Definition of Critical Infrastructure: Defines "critical infrastructure of the Department of Defense" as assets vital to the Department's functioning and the armed forces' operations. The incapacitation or destruction of these assets by a cyberattack would significantly impair the Department's ability to carry out its missions.

In short, the bill seeks to bolster the Department of Defense's cybersecurity capabilities by explicitly authorizing cyber operations to protect its most essential assets from cyberattacks.