As more and more devices become “smart” (connected to the internet), bad actors and foreign adversaries have more and more opportunities to target us. To combat this growing threat, Senator Rick Scott has introduced legislation directing the Department of Commerce to assess the national security risks posed by these “smart” devices.

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From Breitbart:

On Friday Scott announced the introduction of the Preventing Remote Operations by Threatening Entities on Critical Technology for the Grid (PROTECT the Grid) Act, a bill aimed at investigating potential vulnerabilities in the U.S. electric grid from certain internet-connected appliances and devices linked to foreign adversaries.

The legislation directs the Department of Commerce, in coordination with other federal officials, to submit a report to Congress within 270 days assessing the risks posed by high-wattage Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices and associated applications controlled by foreign entities. Such devices include smart ovens, laundry machines, electric vehicle chargers, water heaters, and air conditioners with the capacity to consume or control more than 500 watts of power.

According to the bill, applications developed by companies operating under the jurisdiction or influence of foreign adversaries could be used to manipulate power demand on a large scale, potentially destabilizing the U.S. electric grid. The legislation cites research from Princeton University, the Georgia Institute of Technology, and the University of California, Santa Cruz, warning of “MaDIoT” attacks, which could use coordinated demand manipulation through IoT devices to potentially trigger blackouts or cause grid damage.

In addition to what is listed above, the legislation would also codify Executive Order 13873, an order signed by President Trump in 2019 that authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to restrict technology from foreign companies deemed to be national security threats.

Breitbart also notes that this act follows a series of Senator Scott’s legislative efforts to address Chinese influence and “foreign adversary activities” in America.

This is the most recent in a long list of bills designed to protect Americans from cyberthreats. As our world becomes more and more digital, current laws and regulations are proving to be inadequate when it comes to protecting citizens and the grid. Laws like these aim to protect us from evolving threats, even before they happen.

Let’s ask God to give our leaders wisdom so they can defend us from threats like those described in this legislation!

What do you think of the PROTECT the Grid Act? Share your thoughts and prayers below.

(Excerpt from Breitbart. Photo Credit: Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America – Rick Scott, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=107750068)