[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 120 (Friday, September 20, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8979-S8980]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      OREGON'S TECHNOLOGY LEADERS

 Mr. WYDEN. Mr. President, a little more than a year ago, the 
terrible events of September 11 forced the awakening and mobilization 
of a critical resource in this country. In response to that tremendous 
tragedy, America's technology innovators, skilled workers in all walks 
of life, have stepped forward to help America address the numerous 
threats our enemies pose.
  One of these threats is cybersecurity. As computer networks have 
become increasingly central to this Nation's infrastructure and 
businesses, that the importance of securing our information and 
information technologies has grown. Today I wish to draw the Senate's 
attention to emerging technologies for dealing with these new threats. 
I also want to discuss how this country can maximize a uniquely 
American resource: that is, the skilled innovation of our tech sector.
  Technology workers and managers from my home State of Oregon have 
inspired me with their technical skills and their passion to put their 
talents to work serving America. The Portland area is home to one of 
the Nation's largest concentration of cybersecurity vendors in the 
country. Portland now boasts a remarkable cluster of small and large 
companies actively working to make America's portion of cyberspace a 
safer place.
  Just a few examples: Tripwire is the world leader in data integrity 
assurance, providing software that establishes the foundation for IT 
security and reliability. Tripwire is used to protect some of the 
world's most sensitive data, and that includes some of the most 
important systems right here in Washington.
  Digimarc provides digitally watermarked drivers licenses for 37 
States, and supplies official identification documents for governments 
around the world. Its technology enables authentication with a greater 
level of assurance than has historically been possible.
  Swan Island Networks is building software platforms that enable 
secure communications of sensitive information to trusted users across 
organizational boundaries. It is helping Federal

[[Page S8980]]

and local agencies and first responders to communicate effectively to 
audiences inside and outside the firewall.
  Intel Corporation, which has its largest base of employment in 
Oregon, is leading the National Emergency Messaging Systems initiative 
from the Portland area. Intel is helping local, State and Federal 
officials respond to emergencies.
  WireX has won international recognition for its Immunix Network 
Security Solutions. The company was founded by a grant from DARPA in 
1998.
  Galois Connections designs and develops high confidence software for 
critical and demanding applications. Its clientele includes the 
National Security Agency.
  Kryptiq builds secure email systems that are built to preserve 
privacy, as well as the integrity of documents.
  Oregon is home to many, many more, including Flatrock, Infotects, 
Network Associates, Rulespace, TechTracker and True Disk. Some of these 
companies have persevered and become successful selling products and 
services that government is using to defend its infrastructure. Many 
others have developed products, launched companies, and knocked on 
doors in Washington, trying to find an entry point. Their efforts must 
be sustained and encouraged.
  There are numerous ways to provide that encouragement, and not all of 
them originate in Washington. It is vital to look at what is working on 
the local level and nurture it there. It is time to lower the 
speedbumps. Straighten the curves. Shorten the straightaways. Bring our 
technological talent quickly to the front lines of this new kind of 
war.
  In Oregon, a coalition of these cybersecurity companies has come 
together in the wake of 9/11. The Oregon Regional Alliance for 
Information and Network Security, or Oregon RAINS, is banding together 
to offer products and services America needs now. These companies are 
working together to find new ways of navigating the Federal bureaucracy 
to get their products on the ground.
  In my view, the Federal Government should do all it can to be 
responsive to organizations like Oregon RAINS. Currently, our sluggish 
bureaucracy often discriminates against small, young and distant 
vendors. America's enemies won't be defeated solely by the ideas of 
huge corporations or entrenched government contractors. This country 
needs the help of smaller, nimble players who are long on passion and 
talent, but short on expertise about dealing with their Federal 
Government.
  It is essential to eliminate the roadblocks American innovators face. 
A 20-person company in Beaverton, OR shouldn't have to devote precious 
resources to hiring lobbyists, making multiple trips to see different 
people in different agencies, and pursuing expensive and, frankly, 
frequently obsolete certifications.
  Earlier this year I was proud to author the Science and Technology 
Emergency Mobilization Act, along with my colleague Senator Allen, and 
to see it passed by this Senate. That legislation mandated the creation 
of a clearinghouse, or single entry point, for technology innovators 
offering new products for the war on terrorism. I am gratified to see 
that concept echoed in the Homeland Security legislation sponsored by 
Senator Lieberman.
  My legislation, as well as Senator Lieberman's homeland security 
bill, also directs the executive branch to establish a national test 
bed to evaluate new technologies.
  In my view, this national test bed could eventually serve as a model 
for regional test beds. If that little company in Beaverton, OR, could 
run pilot programs in its backyard, the company could more easily 
answer questions, deal with challenges and monitor results.
  Regional efforts to test new technologies would also increase our 
likelihood of finding unexpected solutions in unexpected places. Some 
technology or technique that we couldn't have foreseen might pop up and 
help us win this war. The beauty of American innovation is that it 
could just as easily come from a suburban basement, a sparsely 
furnished loft, or a coalition of small companies as it could from the 
business-as-usual landscape.
  There are other ways the Federal Government can be a better partner 
to small technology innovators like those in my home State. 
Accelerating research and public-private technology partnerships 
through Federal grants. Deepening our cyber-security bench by funding 
IT education and channeling bright students into those areas. Raising 
awareness in the general public so that everyone sees the importance of 
securing this country's infrastructure.
  I can assure you that in my home state alone there are a plethora of 
skilled software engineers and managers who are eager to see their 
technologies deployed to serve America. The Federal Government needs to 
partner with them and help them help their neighbors. American lives 
are at stake.

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