[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 22 (Monday, February 22, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E175-E176]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 CYBERSECURITY ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 2009

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 3, 2010

  Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 
4061, the Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2009, and I would like to 
thank my colleagues, Rep. Lipinski for introducing this measure, and 
Rep. Ehlers, Rep. Wu, Rep. Smith and Rep. Hall for their contributions 
to gain bipartisan support on this very important legislation that we 
are considering today.
  This bill will help ensure a strategic plan for Federal Cybersecurity 
Research & Development (R&D) activities, strengthen public-private 
partnerships in cybersecurity, help train the next generation of 
cybersecurity professionals, and improve cybersecurity technical 
standards.
  Our Nation's cyber-infrastructure is an interconnected combination of 
private, public and government networks. It is critical that government 
and industry work closely to protect both the infrastructure and the 
future of innovation. Giving them the tools to ensure they can protect 
themselves--access to timely action-oriented information and 
availability of insurance for cyber incidents--as well as encouraging 
critical cybersecurity R&D here in the U.S., are the most important 
efforts our administration can take to secure our cyber-infrastructure.
  We are all aware of the growing number of Internet security 
incidents, involving such

[[Page E176]]

things as computer viruses, denial of service attacks, and defaced Web 
sites. These events have disrupted business and government activities, 
and have sometimes resulted in significant recovery costs.
  While we have been fortunate so far in avoiding a catastrophic cyber 
attack, last year the Pentagon reported more than 360 million attempts 
to break into its networks. A 2009 Consumer Reports study found that 
over the past two years, one in five online consumers has been a victim 
of cyber crime.
  In 2009 the Department of Homeland Security logged 5,499 such cyber 
attack incidents--a 40 percent increase over the previous year. A 2007 
Government Accountability Office report estimates the total U.S. 
business losses due to cyber attacks exceeds $117.5 billion per year.
  It is time for a broad-reaching, forward-thinking approach and the 
successful passage of H.R. 4061 is the beginning to an increased 
collaboration and coordination with the private sector to conquer this 
dilemma.
  Almost a year ago President Obama called for a comprehensive 60 day 
review of U.S. cyberspace policy. This review and the recommendations 
contained in the report led to a series of hearings on various aspects 
of cybersecurity R&D, including the state of research programs, 
partnerships with the private sector, the IT workforce, and how both 
NIST and the NSF are responding to the review.
  H.R. 4061 is built upon these hearings, and addresses the issues 
raised in the 60-day review. Specifically, it aims to build strong 
public-private partnerships, improve the transfer of cybersecurity 
technologies to the marketplace, train an IT workforce for both the 
public and private sectors, and coordinate and prioritize federal 
cybersecurity R&D. Of course cybersecurity research, standards setting, 
and education are only one piece of the recommendations of the 60-day 
report, and are only part of the solution. however, it is the beginning 
to a widespread need to improving the security of cyberspace is that is 
one of the utmost importance and it will take the collective effort of 
the federal government, the private sector, our scientists and 
engineers, and every American to succeed.

  H.R. 4061 requires federal agencies participating in the NITRD 
program to develop, update, and implement a strategic plan guiding the 
overall direction of federal cybersecurity and information assurance 
R&D.
  Requires the President to conduct an assessment of cybersecurity 
workforce needs across the federal government and formally authorizes 
the scholarship for service program.
  Reauthorizes cybersecurity research and cybersecurity workforce and 
traineeship programs at NSF.
  Requires the director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy 
to convene a university-industry task force to explore mechanisms for 
carrying out collaborative R&D.
  Requires NIST to develop and implement a plan to coordinate U.S. 
representation in the development of international cybersecurity 
technical standards.
  Requires NIST to develop and implement a cybersecurity awareness and 
education program for the dissemination of user-friendly cybersecurity 
best practices and technical standards.
  As we work to improve our country's security, it is important that we 
take inventory of all systems that are vital to the functioning of the 
nation, and do all we can to protect them. This certainly includes our 
computer networks systems that can be attacked anonymously and from far 
away. These networks are the glue that holds our nation's 
infrastructure together. An attack from cyberspace could jeopardize 
electric power grids, railways, hospitals and financial services, to 
name a few.
  Last fall, under the leadership of Congresswoman Clarke, we passed a 
resolution recognizing National Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Among 
other things this resolution contributed to an important education and 
awareness campaign, a national effort to make people aware of the 
problem. However, federal leadership not only needed to increase public 
awareness, but also in research, education, and in demonstrating how to 
secure our own systems. Again, H.R. 4061 ensures an overall vision for 
the federal cybersecurity R&D portfolio, trains the next generation of 
cybersecurity professionals, and improves cybersecurity technical 
standards.
  As a member of the Homeland Security, I am committed to working with 
my colleagues, businesses, and educational institutions to enhance the 
development and implementation of existing and future cybersecurity 
standards that enhance the nation's security. I support H.R. 4061.

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