Two of the largest U.S. business-lobbying groups criticized aSenate cybersecurity bill aimed at shielding vital computernetworks, saying the measure would burden companies with unneededand costly regulation.

The bipartisan legislation introduced yesterday calls for theU.S. Homeland Security Department to identify systems critical tonational and economic security and set security rules foroverseeing companies and government agencies.

Lawmakers and regulators say rules are needed to fightincreasingly sophisticated cyber attacks capable of disruptingpower grids, banks and communications networks. Industry groupssaid the bill's broad approach may raise costs for businesses andbe too prescriptive, particularly for financial companies held tohigh security standards by regulators.