[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 153 (Wednesday, October 21, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2595-E2596]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RAISING AWARENESS AND ENHANCING THE STATE OF CYBER SECURITY IN THE 
                             UNITED STATES

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 20, 2009

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of 
House Resolution 797, recognizing the goals and ideals of National 
Cybersecurity Awareness Month.
  The release of the Presidential Cyberspace Policy Review in May was 
an important step forward.
  However, more work remains to be done to ensure that cybersecurity is 
fully integrated into our nation's homeland security efforts.
  Our country can't afford 20th century thinking for a 21st century 
problem.
  I congratulate Ms. Clarke, the Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on 
Emerging Threats, Cybersecurity, and Science and Technology, for her 
work on cybersecurity, and thank her for authoring this resolution.
  The Committee has held ten hearings and undertaken numerous 
investigations into cybersecurity issues affecting the Federal 
government, the private sector, and critical infrastructure owners and 
operators in just the last three years.
  Though the Homeland Security Committee is primarily concerned with 
cybersecurity on Federal networks and critical infrastructure, we 
recognize the important education mission carried out by the National 
Cyber Security Alliance and their efforts to reach home users, small 
businesses, and students and educators of all ages.
  The National Cyber Security Alliance's mission is to increase 
awareness of cyber security practices and technologies to these folks

[[Page E2596]]

through educational activities, online resources and checklists.
  Raising the awareness of this issue in both the public and private 
sectors is absolutely vital as our country becomes increasingly 
connected.
  Cybercrime is a serious business--recent reports suggest that cyber-
crime has become a $105 billion business that now surpasses the value 
of the illegal drug trade worldwide.
  During the past two years, one in five online consumers has been a 
victim of cybercrime.
  But companies and consumers continue to underestimate the threat from 
phishing, data loss, and other cyber vulnerabilities.
  I encourage my colleagues today to support this resolution and join 
me and Representative Clarke in our efforts to address this threat to 
our economy and homeland security.

                          ____________________