Opening Statement By Chairman David Wu

I want to welcome everyone to this morning’s hearing on the administration’s cyberspace policy review. This is the second of three hearings the Science and Technology Committee is holding on cyber security. Last week the Research and Science Education Subcommittee held a hearing on the research needs for improved cyber security, and next week my Technology and Innovation Subcommittee will hold a hearing on the cyber security activities at the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the Department of Homeland Security.

I have long been concerned by the lack of attention given to cyber security by the federal government. Previously, federal efforts were output oriented—focused on things like the number of programs, funds spent, or numbers of interagency working groups—rather than outcome driven. I am pleased that the new administration has made cyber security a top priority and is focusing efforts on achieving outcomes such as fewer breaches of federal systems, fewer cases of identity theft, and the security of smart grid systems and health IT systems.

In order to achieve those important results, it was essential to first conduct a review of our federal cyber security structure. The administration’s cyberspace review does not make any brand new recommendations. However, it is valuable as a frank assessment of current federal activities and a roadmap for what needs to be fixed. In general, the recommendations suggest improving interagency coordination and coordination with the private sector, modernizing the research agenda, and enhancing public education on cyber security.

By addressing each of these recommendations we are laying the building blocks for our new, outcomes-based approach to federal cyber security. The four agencies appearing before the Committee today have a significant role to play in creating that foundation. During today’s hearing, I hope to learn how each agency intends to improve their current cyber security efforts in response to the administration’s review. This information will help guide the Committee’s ongoing efforts to protect our nation’s data and citizens.