Examining the Homeland Security Impact of the Obama Administration’s Cyber Security Proposal

Image via WikipediaLast Friday, June 24, I visited the Cannon House Office Building to listen to testimony presented during a hearing of  the Committee on Homeland Security’s Subcommittee on Cyber Security, Infrastructure Protection and Security Technologies. The hearing was entitled “Examining the Homeland Security Impact of the Obama Administration’s Cyber Security Proposal.” The membership of this committee is:

• Subcommittee Chair Dan Langren (R-CA-3rd District)
• Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX-10th District)
• Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI-7th District)
• Rep. Patrick Meehan (R-PA-7th District)
• Rep. Billy Long (R-MO-7th District)
• Rep. Tom Marino (R-PA-10th District)
• Ranking Member, Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY-11th District)
• Rep. Laura Richardson (D-CA-37th District)
• Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-LA-2nd District)
• Rep. William Keating (D-MA-10th District)

I invite you to view Chairman Lungren’s  opening remarks at the hearing.

I encourage you to read the transcripts of expert witness testimony and view Chairman Lungren as he questions the witnesses.

• Larry Clinton, President, Internet Security Alliance, [full text of testimony]
• Melissa Hathaway, President, Hathaway Global Strategies LLC, [full text of testimony]
• Greg Shannon, Chief Scientist for Computer Emergency Readiness Team, Software Engineering Institute, Carnegie Mellon University, [full text of testimony]
• Leigh Williams, BITS President, The Financial Services Roundtable, [full text of testimony]
• Chairman Lungren: questions the witnesses 

Cyber security is a complex topic that impacts our government, business and the lives of citizens. Ensuring that we enact the best legislation possible is everyone’s civic responsibility. Ms. Hathaway pointed out in her testimony that there are more than 50 cyber security bills currently being considered by the 111th Congress. At the State level, legislatures also are focusing on cyber security: namely cyber stalking, cyber harassment and cyber bullying.

In my mind, education and ongoing dialogue are necessary to achieve the goal of enhanced cyber security at all levels and in all sectors. Achieving the right balance of public/private market incentives and legislation are the keys to ensure our cyber ecosystem continues to be healthy and protected.