New Bills Designate Biotechnology, Biomanufacturing, and Biological Data as Critical Infrastructure
Despite its growing significance to national security and the economy, the federal government does not adequately protect biotechnology infrastructure or sensitive biological data.
24 September 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Washington, DC – Today, a bipartisan and bicameral group of lawmakers introduced two bills that would require the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to protect biotechnology data and infrastructure from malicious actors. The two bills were introduced in the Senate by NSCEB Chair Senator Todd Young (R-IN) and Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and in the House by NSCEB Commissioners Representative Stephanie Bice (R-OK-05) and Representative Ro Khanna (D-CA-17), as well as Representative Scott Peters (D-CA-50).
In its April 2025 report to Congress, the NSCEB assessed that malicious actors will increasingly target the biotechnology sector’s infrastructure and data. Critical biotechnology infrastructure, such as hospitals and agricultural facilities, have already faced numerous cyberattacks. Biological data are not currently treated or protected as a strategic national resource. These bills reflect NSCEB recommendations.
The Protecting Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing as Critical Infrastructure Act would ensure that biotechnology and biomanufacturing infrastructure is protected as critical infrastructure. It would establish a mechanism to cover cross-sector infrastructure that do not neatly fall within current Critical Infrastructure Sectors designations.
The Protecting Biological Data as Critical Infrastructure Act would ensure coverage of genetic and other sensitive biometric data with the proper cybersecurity controls. The bill directs CISA to designate systems handling genomic sequences and sensitive biometric data as critical infrastructure and also mandates collaboration between CISA and biotechnology stakeholders to create security protocols and synchronize security concerns across sectors.
A detailed summary of both bills can be found here.
“Biotechnology infrastructure and data are becoming vital to America’s economic and national security,” said NSCEB Chair Senator Todd Young (R-IN). “Just as we are serious about where the sensitive data of Americans is stored and who can access it, we should be equally serious about protecting our biological data and infrastructure. Designating biotech as critical infrastructure is about recognizing its strategic importance and making sure the capabilities America will depend on tomorrow remain resilient and protected from foreign threats.”
“Cyberattacks that target the genetic information and other personal health information of Americans can have devastating consequences for patients, providers, and our national security. As we continue to see increasingly sophisticated attacks, it’s important that our cybersecurity agencies have the tools that they need to protect American biotechnology and our public health,” said Senator Hassan (D-NH). “I am glad to introduce these bipartisan, commonsense bills that will keep Granite Staters healthy and safe.”
“Protecting biomanufacturing infrastructure and the most sensitive biological data of Americans is essential for our national security,” said NSCEB Commissioner Rep. Ro Khanna. “These bipartisan bills will help ensure we are protecting this sector from physical and cyber threats while keeping America as the world leader in biotechnology.”
“Biological data is one of America’s most valuable strategic resources,” said NSCEB Commissioner Rep. Stephanie Bice. “It is the foundation for new discoveries and an increasingly important driver of innovation at the intersection of AI and biotechnology. Recognizing biological data as critical infrastructure is a vital part of protecting sensitive data from those who could exploit it.”
“Biotechnology is a major driver of San Diego’s economy, employing 167,000 members of our community and generating $55.2 billion in economic output,” said Rep. Scott Peters (D-CA-50). “America’s leadership in the sector is a strategic advantage we cannot take for granted. As technology advances and our adversaries grow more capable, American national security, public health, and competitiveness will continue to face more serious threats. Our legislation will strengthen America’s biotech ecosystem against cyber threats, supply chain disruptions, and other vulnerabilities. To maintain our leadership in biotechnology, we need to make sure that the United States remains a safe place to innovate.”
About NSCEB: The National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology is a time-limited, high-impact legislative branch advisory entity whose purpose is to advance and secure biotechnology, biomanufacturing, and associated technologies for U.S. national security and to prepare the United States for the bioindustrial revolution. The Commission published a comprehensive report in April 2025, including recommendations for action by Congress and the federal government. The bipartisan Commission is composed of Congressionally-appointed Commissioners with members from both the Senate and the House of Representatives as well as experts from industry, academia, and government. For more information about the Commission and to view the report, visit: biotech.senate.gov.
Contacts:
NSCEB: press@biotech.senate.gov
