Peters Introduces Legislation to Protect Life Science Infrastructure
Despite its growing significance to national security and the economy, the federal government does not adequately protect biotechnology infrastructure or sensitive biological data.
Washington, D.C. – Last week, U.S. Representatives Scott Peters (D-CA), Ro Khanna (D-CA), and Stephanie Bice (R-OK), as well as U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-IN) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) introduced two bipartisan bills to protect biotechnology data and infrastructure from malicious actors.
The Protecting Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing as Critical Infrastructure Act and the Protecting Biological Data as Critical Infrastructure Act aim to recognize life science infrastructure and sensitive data as critical infrastructure, ensuring robust cybersecurity and cross-sector protection. The legislation directs Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to designate facilities and systems handling genetic and biometric information as critical and requires collaboration with industry stakeholders to develop coordinated security protocols.
Biotechnology infrastructure spans several critical sectors, including health, agriculture, and industry, yet current policy doesn't explicitly recognize or fully protect it. Biological data, which fuels research breakthroughs and often contains sensitive personal information, isn't treated as a strategic national resource either. Some federal efforts are underway, but they're scattered and leave major vulnerabilities.
“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 just last year,” said Rep. Peters. “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.”
“Protecting biomanufacturing infrastructure and the most sensitive biological data of Americans is essential for our national security,” said Rep. 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 Rep. 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.”
In its April 2025 report to Congress, the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology (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. Both bills reflect NSCEB recommendations.
A detailed summary of the bills can be found here.
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