WASHINGTON, DC - Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR) today launched a bipartisan supply chain working group to discuss securing our nation’s communications supply chain. Walden made the announcement as he opened today’s subcommittee hearing on “Cybersecurity: An Examination of the Communications Supply Chain."
“As technology evolves so does the urgency to secure our nation’s communications networks," said Chairman Walden. “Supply chain risk management is essential if we are to guard against those seeking to compromise network equipment or exploit software that runs over and through it. The working group will examine the security of the communications supply chain, the vulnerabilities, the effectiveness of public-private partnerships and the role of the federal government."
Rep. Mike Rogers (R-MI) and Ranking Member Anna Eshoo (D-CA) will serve as the group’s co-chairs. The members include Reps. Bob Latta (R-OH), Mike Doyle (D-PA), Lee Terry (R-NE), Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), and Jim Matheson (D-UT).
“Protecting our networks from cyber attacks and intruders needs to be a multi-prong attack," said Rep. Rogers. “There is no one silver bullet and it cannot be fixed by government alone. I look forward to working with Chairman Walden to further these initiatives."
“The implications of foreign-controlled telecommunications infrastructure companies providing equipment to the U.S. market is a very serious threat, which Congress must review carefully," Rep. Eshoo said. “I’m pleased to co-chair the subcommittee’s newest working group focusing on supply chain security. Through stakeholder meetings, we can better understand what steps can be taken to protect U.S. telecommunications infrastructure from inappropriate foreign control or influence."
