Date: 2015-10-06
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. as a senior member of the Homeland Security Committee. I rise in support of H.R. 3510. the "Department of Homeland Security Cybersecurity Strategy Act of 2015." which amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002. to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop a cybersecurity strategy for the Department of Homeland Security. The strategy must include information on the programs. policies. and activities that are required to successfully execute the full range of the cybersecurity programs. policies. and activities in furtherance of the Department of Homeland Securitys mission regarding the National Cybersecurity and Communication Integration Center. The National Cybersecurity and Communication Integration Center addresses cybersecurity risks faced by federal and nonfederal entities. In July of this year it was reported that the Office of Personnel Management lost personal information on 21.5 million current and former federal employees and their families. In 2014. the following agencies reported breaches: The State Department revealed that its unclassified email network had been breached in a cyberattack. the U.S. Postal Service reported that 800.000 personnel files were potentially affected by a cyber breach. the Department of Health and Human Services reported cyber intruders had accessed a server used to test code for the healthcare.gov website and installed malicious software. and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. the agency that oversees the U.S. nuclear power industry. revealed a number of attempted intrusions and three successful intrusions into its computer systems. In cyber time. which is near the speed of lightfederal computer networks will not get a warning from a determined enemy that an attack is occurring. Our nations critical infrastructure and civilian government agencies depend on the cybersecurity talent and resources that the Department of Homeland Security can provide on the frontline to defend against attacks. As with other threats that this nation has faced and overcome. we must create the resources and the institutional responses to protect our nation against cyber threats while preserving our liberties and freedoms. We cannot accomplish this task without the full cooperation and support of the private sector. computing research community and academia. This level of engagement requires the trust and confidence of the American people that this new cyber threat center will be used for the purpose it was created and that the collaboration of others in this effort to better protect computing networks will be used only for protection and defense. There are people with skills and those with the potential to develop skills that would be of benefit to our nations efforts to develop an effective cybersecurity defense and deterrence posture. It is my hope that as we move forward the Committee on Homeland Security will continue in a bipartisan manner to seek out the best ways to bring the brightest and most qualified people into the government as cybersecurity professionals. Toward that end. I am hosting a Town Hall on Wednesday. October 7. 2015. Town Hall" on Minority Representation in the Cybersecurity Workforce. I am pleased to have the Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus join me in support of this important Town Hall. The message from the federal government to the public regarding the employment opportunities available in STEM careers that include cybersecu rity. It is my commitment that Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Hispanic Serving Institutions. Native American Colleges and Womens Colleges and Universities should be actively engaged when agencies conduct outreach and program development on cybersecurity. The Brookings Metropolitan Policy Programs report "The Hidden STEM Economy." reported that in 2011. 26 million jobs or 20 percent of all occupations required knowledge in 1 or more STEM areas. Half of all STEM jobs are available to workers without a 4 year degree and these jobs pay on average $53.000 a year. which is 10 percent higher than jobs with similar education requirements. There will be STEM winners and losers. but not because the skills needed are too difficult to obtain. but because people are not aware of the jobs that are going unfilled today. nor do they know what education or training will create job security for the next 2 to 3 decades. I am very aware of the importance of STEM job training and education. A third of Houston jobs are in STEMbased fields. Houston has the second largest concentrations of engineers (22.4 for every 1.000 workers according to the Greater Houston Partnership.) Houston has 59.070 engineers. the second largest populations in the nation. STEM jobs are at the core of Houstons economic success. but what we have done with STEM innovation and job creation in the city of Houston is not enough to satisfy the regions demand for STEM trained workers. We anticipate that in the next 5 years the gap in the number of people with STEM skills and training will not keep up with the number of positions requiring those skills. I ask my colleagues to join me in support of H.R. 3510. the "Department of Homeland Security Cybersecurity Strategy Act of 2015.