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Legislation to create new cybersecurity research programs at the National Science Foundation and the National Institute of Science and Technology won quick approval Friday from the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee.

The Cyber Security Research and Development Act (S. 2182), which the panel approved by unanimous consent, aims to improve information sharing and collaboration among government, industry and academic cybersecurity researchers, while increasing the number of U.S. workers with expertise in that field.

Under a managers' amendment adopted by unanimous consent, the bill also would establish standards for cybersecurity technologies used by federal agencies. Technology industry representatives oppose the provision. They say federal standards would make it more difficult for government and industry to respond quickly to emerging cybersecurity threats.

"Such requirements are both inappropriate and unworkable, as cybersecurity threats are always changing and technologies must rapidly evolve to meet them," said Robert Holleyman, president and CEO of the Business Software Alliance, whose members include Microsoft, IBM, Intel and other high-profile technology companies.

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