A few weeks ago we blogged about the new proposed cyber security legislation by President Obama. The proposal highlights voluntary assistance and information sharing framework between government and industry. Sounds like a good idea considering the recent attacks on major corporations like Sony’s Playstation, PBS, and most recently, banking giant Citibank. According to a recent article posted by International Business Times, Citibank confirmed today that credit card data of 200,000 of its North American customers have been hacked.

However, lawmakers aren’t so certain about the new proposed legislation, arguing that it would give the government unprecedented access to private data. Critics say that the promotion of shared information about cyber-attacks with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security would violate laws limiting government access to private data. According to an article in Network World, the proposal will take away protection found in laws such as the Wiretap Act and the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, in favor of the proposed broad information sharing.

Following recent attacks on major corporations, including the breach of Sony’s PlayStation system, the Obama administration has submitted a proposal to Congress for new cybersecurity legislation for companies. The announcement of this proposal highlights a renewed focus for the White House on computer and data security as a matter of national and financial stability, although there are still many questions as to how any laws regarding corporate network security could be written or implemented.