WASHINGTON, DC - Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR) today appointed members of the subcommittee to serve on a bipartisan Communications and Technology Cybersecurity Working Group to examine the current landscape and lay the foundation for the subcommittee’s efforts to address cybersecurity.
“Cybersecurity is essential to maintaining our nation’s security in the 21st century," said Walden. “The threat is real and the economic impact on businesses, especially smaller companies, is serious. The more information we gather, the more equipped we will be to combat this complex issue. This threat is not a partisan issue, and I appreciate my colleagues’ willingness to take a closer look at these complex issues and report back on their findings, which will create a foundation of expertise and understanding that will be essential as we find solutions to secure our networks."
The Working Group is tasked with identifying existing legal impediments to securing communications networks against cyberthreats and incentive-based approaches to encourage private-sector companies to work with each other and the public sector. Members of the Working Group include: Subcommittee Vice-Chair Lee Terry (R-NE), Ranking Member Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Rep. Doris Matsui (D-CA), Rep. Bob Latta (R-OH), Rep. Michael Doyle (D-PA), and Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL). Subcommittee Chairman Greg Walden will serve as an ex-officio member of the working group. Vice-Chairman Terry and Ranking Member Eshoo will co-lead the group. At the conclusion of its work the group will report its findings to Chairman Walden.
Chairman Walden recently identified cybersecurity as a top priority for 2012 and launched a series of hearings to examine the threats to commercial networks. On Wednesday, March 7, 2012, the subcommittee will continue the series with a hearing on “Cybersecurity: The Pivotal Role of Communications Networks " at 10:00 a.m. in room 2123 of Rayburn House Office Building. A background memo and witness list will be posted here as they become available.