Bipartisan AI Cyber Defense Act Introduced to Protect U.S. Water Systems from Cyberattacks
U.S. Representative Josh Gottheimer has announced a bipartisan initiative aimed at bolstering the cybersecurity of critical infrastructure, particularly water systems, following recent cyberattacks in New Jersey and other states. The initiative includes the introduction of the AI Cyber Defense Act, co-sponsored by Democratic Representative Hilary Scholten of Michigan and others, which seeks to provide critical infrastructure operators with advanced AI tools to enhance cybersecurity. The legislation is part of a broader Critical Infrastructure Security Plan that also includes the Securing Our Critical Infrastructure Act. This plan aims to establish a rapid-response service within the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to assist small and medium-sized utilities during cyber threats. The initiative responds to vulnerabilities in smaller utilities, which often lack dedicated cybersecurity personnel and rely on outdated infrastructure. 
