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The House of Representatives today approved an amendment offered by Congressman Bill Posey (R-Rockledge) to prohibit federal government employees from conducting official government business using an unsecure private email server. Posey’s proposal was offered as an amendment to H.R. 4361, the Federal Information Systems Safeguards Act.

“This amendment will codify into law a practice of security, accountability, and good government, which is already a policy at many federal agencies,” said Posey. “It only takes one misstep in the handling of sensitive information to threaten the security of our entire information technology infrastructure. It’s critical that official government business stay on secure government servers.”

Specifically, Posey’s amendment will require federal employees to conduct official business on email servers and other information technology (IT) that have been certified compliant with security protocols. This requirement will significantly improve the overall security of government IT networks. Requiring federal employees to use official servers also strengthens government accountability and transparency as records can be more easily obtained in the event of Congressional oversight activities, legal challenges, and public FOIA requests.

The amendment addresses the national security risks and vulnerabilities that have come to light due to former Secretary Clinton’s use of an unsecure private email server in her capacity as Secretary of State. Posey said his amendment will help prevent future mishandling of sensitive intelligence by government employees.