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Ms. Robinson, The threat of cyber warfare cannot be over stated. Media reports of new attacks by cyber criminals are becoming more frequent and alarming. Cyber attacks target everything from classified government information, to business and trade secrets, to individual financial records.
The most troubling cyber threat, however, may be the very real prospect of state-sponsored attacks against sensitive national security information. Cyber experts believe China is effectively targeting our government networks, resulting in at least one breach of Lockheed Martin's F-35 Joint Strike Fighter development program, and concerns are growing over allegations of breaching the cyber security of the United States internet company Google to obtain information on individuals through their email accounts. When you consider nearly every aspect of our lives in a global society is dependent on the security of our cyber networks, simply maintaining the status quo will not be enough. I recently led the passage of the Cybersecurity Enhancement Act (H.R. 4061) in the House of Representatives, which reauthorizes and expands critical programs that will not only strengthen our nation's cybersecurity but also lead to job creation in Upstate New York. |
| Arcuri speaking on the House Floor about the importance of the Cybersecurity Enhancement Act in protecting our nation against cyber attack.
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First, this legislation creates the Scholarship-for-Service program through the National Science Foundation (NSF), which will provide grants to colleges and universities for the award of scholarships to students pursuing degrees in cybersecurity fields. Programs such as Utica College's Bachelors of Science Degree in Cybersecurity are at the forefront of this effort; this program currently graduates about 50 students per year. The federal government estimates it will need to recruit between 500 and 1,000 professionals each year in the area of cybersecurity in order to address the mounting threats we face.
Another key to this legislation is strengthening the partnership between the federal government and the private sector to guarantee a secure and reliable infrastructure by requiring the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy to convene a taskforce of businesses and universities to explore potential public-private collaborations on cybersecurity research and development. The benefit of existing public-private partnerships is on display in Upstate New York. The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) in Rome known as Rome Lab, hosts the main offices of the AFRL's Information Directorate. Employees at Rome Lab use the latest electronic and computer technology to demonstrate new ways to defend our information networks against attacks. |
| Arcuri discusses the benefits of strengthening partnerships between the federal government and the private sector to guarantee a secure and reliable infrastructure free from cyber attack.
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| | | | | The 24th Congressional District is also home to a number of companies that are engaged in cutting-edge cyber research. Large companies such as PAR Technology, BAE Systems, ITT Industries, Northrop Grumman, Black River Systems and Assured Information Security are working with Rome Lab to fend off cyber attacks. The Cybersecurity Enhancement Act received the support of numerous organizations, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Business Software Alliance, Software and Information Industry Association, National Cable and Telecommunications Association, U.S. Telecom, TechAmerica, and Computing Research Association. Additionally, local companies Assured Information Security, Inc, ITT Corporation Information Systems and PAR Government Systems Corporation in Rome, NY issued statements explaining what this legislation means as a benefit to their companies and the critical role Upstate New York plays in our nation's cybersecurity.
Click on the links below to see what a few local companies had to say about passage of the Cybersecurity Enhancement Act.
Thank you for taking to time to read about this important piece of legislation. If you have any questions or comments about this or any other issue, please do not hesitate to contact one of my offices.
MICHAEL ARCURI
Member of Congress
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