In a recent government meeting, officials discussed the pressing need for harmonizing cybersecurity regulations across various sectors to alleviate compliance burdens faced by organizations operating in multiple jurisdictions. The conversation highlighted the challenges posed by a fragmented regulatory landscape, where different agencies impose varying requirements, leading to increased costs for states and businesses.

Mr. Leisterston, representing the Office of the National Cyber Director (ONCD), emphasized the complexity of the current regulatory environment, noting that dozens of regulators have introduced numerous regulations in recent years. He identified two primary challenges: the extensive breadth of regulations and the difficulty in convening all relevant parties, particularly independent regulatory commissions, to collaborate on a unified framework.

The ONCD is advocating for legislative support to establish a clear mandate that would facilitate discussions among all regulatory bodies. This would enable the development of a comprehensive framework aimed at not only harmonizing regulations but also ensuring reciprocity, allowing entities to demonstrate compliance once rather than repeatedly for different regulators.

Senator Hassan raised concerns about recent cyber attacks, such as the incident involving Change Healthcare, which underscored the vulnerabilities within critical infrastructure. She inquired about the steps being taken by the ONCD and other agencies to identify potential single points of failure in these systems.

The meeting underscored the urgent need for a strategic, top-down approach to cybersecurity regulation, as officials work to enhance the resilience of national infrastructure while reducing the regulatory burden on businesses.