Date: 2014-07-28
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I rise in support of H.R. 3696. the National Cybersecurity and Critical Infrastructure Protection Act of I would like to thank Chairman MCCAUL and Ranking Member THOMPSON for their leadership on the protection of our nations critical infrastructure. Several Jackson Lee amendments were included in the H.R. 3696. the "National Cybersecurity and Critical Infrastructure Protection Act of 2014." I submit to the committee for its consideration the following five amendments that would: Identify the best methods for developing exercise to challenge the security measures taken to protect critical infrastructure from cyber attacks or incidents. Assure efforts to conduct outreach to education institutions to promote cybersecurity awareness. Provide better coordination for cyber incident emergency response and recovery. Explore the benefits of establishing a visiting scholars program. and Prioritized response efforts to aid in recovery of critical infrastructure from cyber incidents. The Jackson Lee amendments improved H.R. 3696: The first Jackson Lee amendment supports discussions among stakeholders on the best methods of developing innovative cybersecurity exercises for coordinating between the Department and each of the critical infrastructure sectors designated under section 227. The second Jackson Lee amendment directs the Secretary to conduct outreach to universities. which shall include historically black colleges and universities. Hispanic serving institutions. Native American colleges and institutions serving persons with disabilities to promote cybersecurity awareness. The third Jackson Lee amendment directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to make available Department contact information to serve as a resource for Sector Coordinating Councils and critical infrastructure owners and critical infrastructure operators to better coordinate cybersecurity efforts with the agency related to emergency response and recovery efforts for cyber incidents. The fourth Jackson Lee amendment directs the Department of Homeland Security to determine the feasibility and potential benefit of developing a visiting security researchers program from academia. including cybersecurity scholars at the Department of Homeland Securitys Centers of Excellence. The fifth Jackson Lee amendment directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to collaborate with Sector Coordinating Councils. Information Sharing and Analysis Centers. Sector Specific Agencies. and relevant critical infrastructure sectors on the development of prioritized response efforts. if necessary. to support the defense and recovery of critical infrastructure from cyber incidents. Global dependence on the Internet and particularly the interconnected nature of the cyberspace makes cyber security a very difficult public policy challenge. but H.R. 3696 is making a significant step forward in addressing cyber security threats. Cyber thieves work around the clock to probe and breach computer systems resulting in the largest unlawful transfer of wealth in history. H.R. 3696 emphases on public/private partnerships and information sharing is a critically important first step in combating illegal. damaging and expensive data breaches. This legislation already addresses many useful and essential cybersecurity tools and initiatives such as: enhanced education. increased research. information sharing. data breach security and technical assistance strategies. H.R. 3639 will allow the Department of Homeland Security to partner with and support the efforts of critical infrastructure owners and operators to secure their facilities and guide the agency in its work to create resources to support the global mission of infrastructure protection. which is vital to the nation. I encourage my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 3696.