Retailers Praise Inclusion of Cybersecurity in Spending Bill

The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) praised House leadership for including cybersecurity legislation in the year-end omnibus spending bill expected to be passed this Thursday in the House of Representatives. Legislation designed to increase cyber-threat information sharing between the private and public sectors had passed both the House and Senate earlier this year, but inclusion of final language in year-end spending bills means that reconciled legislation can finally be signed into law by President Obama. Nicholas Ahrens, RILA's vice president, privacy and cybersecurity, thanked House leadership for making cybersecurity legislation a top priority, but also reminded lawmakers that this was only a first step.

"Retailers are grateful to House leadership for making cybersecurity legislation a top priority and including it in a year-end package. Cyber-attacks will increasingly be the tool of choice for criminal syndicates, rogue states and terrorist organizations bent on disrupting and damaging America's economy. Giving businesses the tools and legal protections needed to share cyber-threat indicators is the first step in what must be a national commitment to protecting American businesses and consumers.

"Cyber-attacks and the criminal elements that sponsor them are growing more sophisticated and brazen in their attacks on businesses, institutions, infrastructure and governments. Collaboration between the private sector and government is essential for businesses and law enforcement to better tackle this evolving threat and protect our economy. 

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RILA is the trade association of the world's largest and most innovative retail companies. RILA members include more than 200 retailers, product manufacturers, and service suppliers, which together account for more than $1.5 trillion in annual sales, millions of American jobs and more than 100,000 stores, manufacturing facilities and distribution centers domestically and abroad.