Transcripts For CSPAN2 House Hearing On Creating A National

CSPAN2 House Hearing On Creating A National Cyber Director July 12, 2024

Quote the United States and the world will remain vulnerable to the next pandemic or largescale outbreak of contagiousd disease. That could lead to a massive disability. Th and severely affects the worlds economy a. Strain international resources, and weak call in the United States support. We must ask ourselves, what are the warnings that are going unheeded . What can we do right now to protect the American People from other threats . Before the unthinkable happens in the future, how can we exercise strategic and persuasive foresight to the best of our ability today to ensure we are a nation prepared for tomorrow . That same worldwide threat assessment against Cyber Attacks with china, russia, iran, north korea, raging a silent work capable of shutting down such Information Systems and jeopardizing critical sectors in america. The report states, and i quote , our adversaries and strategic competitors increasingly use the cyber capabilities, including Cyber Espionage, to attack and seek political, economic and military advances over the United States and its allies and partners. Cyber attacks are a critical, complex, prevalent and growing threat to the nation safety and Economic Security. Touching nearly every aspect of our lives. This assessment was upheld by recent findings established by the National Defense authorization act to review the state of our cybersecurity and develop a nonpartisan position to protect america against Cyber Attacks. The commission of Congressional Branch with the private sector cybersecurity sounded the alarm and in addition to making some exclusion, that disrupt operations in america on a daily basis, we remain vulnerable critical is economic system. A number of the commissions recommendations. [inaudible] a high on both sides of the aisle. Representation for cybersecurity position in the white house to develop and streamline the federal Government Strategy for nation was prone to Cyber Attacks. Formalizedas first when george w. Bush, and then elevated expanded or in the above administration. But in 2018, the National Security advisor, john bolton eliminated to purportedly cut another layer of bureaucracy. [inaudible] in 2019 the United States was rated as the fifth of cyber in the world. John 2020 it dropped to the 17t. Today we will review hr 7331, which implement the commissions recommendation to establish a National Cyber director and executive office of theal president. This new position would restore hope that cyber coordination and planning function to the whiteho house. In addition, for the first time, or Statutory Authority to lead Strategic Planning efforts, cybersecurity budgets, and coordinated national. [inaudible] a challenge it is the basis of cybersecurity requires that our government be strategic, organized and democrats and republicans agree, we need a National Cybersecurity threat to ensure we are both prepared for and coordinated in our response to Cyber Attacks as our nation bites a silent war. Our Mission Today is to gain the detailed understanding of the threats we face and to thoroughly examine hr 7631 as a vehicle. [inaudible] i now recognize the distinguished Ranking Member for its opening statement. Represented of james khobar. Subject thank you chairwoman maloney for holding this hearing to address our nation cybersecurity posture and to explore the merits of u. S. Cyberspace, Solarium Commission to establish directorates within the executive office of the president prayed the federal cyber gentlemen, we can all agree, is a dynamic and dispersed with barringers additions expertise across the federal government. These agencies are organized to combat cyber crimes, defend against National Security versions, and support the security needs of the private sector criticall industries and commercial interests. Our nation has continuously become more and more reliant on technology over the past three decades. Our reliance on technology and interconnected Information Systems is more important than ever with the pandemic forcing organizations to quickly build out remote operations in our nations workforce pivoting to a work from home posture. Increasingly,yi foreign state actors, extremistth groups, domestic agitators, and criminal enterprises all have ame vested interest in exploiting u. S. Networks. The remote operations of pandemic have created new cyber vulnerabilities for these malicious actors to take advantage of. These are the same actors who also target our private sectorgi partners in state and local institutions. Breaches in federal and commercial networks by Foreign Governments have exposed sensitive intelligence data, proprietary emitted military designs and government personnel data. Because of cybersecurity risks, we must all do our part to maintain a safe and secure National Cyber infrastructure. By continuing to foster relationships across the private sector, and our state and local partners, which are vital cyber threat information that help secure our Critical Infrastructure i. We will hear today from notable subject Matter Experts who have deep experience navigating the nation cybersecurity environmen environment. They also havee experience efforts to combat damaging Cyber Attacks and foreign adversaries like china prehistorically china has hacked into the fdic, stolen valuable u. S. Sh r d, paid our University Professors improperly share valuable intellectual property. I would welcome the opportunity to work with the majority to hold china accountable for these bad acts as well as their deceptive tactics over the course of thisor pandemic. That would be a great hearing, madame chairwoman. Today however we look forward to evaluating the proposal to haveal a National Cybersecurity planning and operations of the federal government. In evaluating this legislative proposal, we have a duty to the American People to be a good steward of taxpayer dollars and not create more bureaucracy. Establishing a clear and convincing rationale for establishing such a credible decision requires the Due Diligence and thoughtful commencement thataf our processes afford. The current and projected cybersecurity landscape is complicated. With many actors and operations it must work in harmony. While there have been more than several highprofile cybersecurity incidents over the pastt decade, i must note that recent attempts at targeting the coronavirus Biomedical Research activities and use of remote work platforms have been taken very seriously by Homeland Security and Law Enforcement within the Trump Administration. The administration is that whats expected of cybersecurity professionals. T it hasti prioritized depending against potentially harmful Cyber Incidents wherever and whenever threats are found. Think we all want our nation cybersecurity to be effective. Both defensively ande often civilly. To this and it is imperative that congress and this committee fully evaluate the reasons why the Commission Recommended the statutory the cyber National Cyber director. The main questions i have for this goal are, is it necessary to create another federal office to have someone truly in charge . And if so will that official, in fact have the authority to make the decisions that need to be made . Will everyone else fall in line and work in harmony . We know that multiple federal agencies have a peace of the cybersecurity pipe. So by authorizing a new oversight and coordinated official, are we legitimately creating a system that will be more prepared to face growing threats . Will the National Cyber director utilize existing Cyber Leadership and expertise in our government . Or do we risk making that bureaucratic pride bigger and creating duplicating functions . Will a National Cyber director advised to this nation cybersecurityor infrastructure . Or should we align and support systems already in place . I look forward to hearing about tangible examples of how this National Cyber director would actually respond to a cyber incident. And how that might be better than the system already in place. In a fluid environment in response and expertise are paramount, we cannot afford to introduce inefficient needs or bureaucratic hurdles for the governments ability to respond to a cybersecurity incident realtime. Madame chairwoman i think we agree or cybersecurity enterprise deserves the support of Public Policies that will not hinder, dynamic, focused and Strategic Planning operation part im pleased to be working with you on this issue. But again, what to ensure that we are no fostering redundant efforts across the federal cyberr sector. In establishing a Senate Confirmed cybersecurity leader, we need to be comfortable in limiting president ial prerogative to implement preferred policies on behalf of the american ispeople. Again, i appreciate this opportunity to review this recommendation. And hear from the second joint expert witnesses, i yield back. Thank you mr. Culver part i now recognize theno distinguished chairman of the subcommittee on National Security mr. Lynch for opening statements. Select thank you madam chair. And thank you for convening todays important hearing on hr 7331. Which allows for the creation of the National Cyber director, which is an idea that is not only reasonable but necessary and long overdue given the worldod in which we live. And i am well aware of the lengthy review and setting that. Has been over the years on this issue pres nothing short of relentless on his mission. And i thank him and our friend and colleague mr. Gallagher for their bipartisan commitment to defending our nationth cybersecurity. And for their testimony beforen, our committee. I also want to take a minute to just thank those who are also original cosponsors of hr 7331. Now for years, foreignpolicy and National Security experts have been considered cyber to be the battlefield of the future. And for anyone paying attention, that future is already here. Back in 2014, hackers, likely affiliated with chinese government, breach the Information System of the office of Personnel Management, compromising personal data of at least 22 million people. Including, most notably federal employees at either applied for or received security clearances for classified information paired were also well aware of russias sweeping and systemic efforts in 2016 to interfere in the president ial election by hacking the Computer Network of the Democratic National committee and attempting to penetrate the election infrastructure in all 50 states. Just because some of mr. Comos concerns, most recently our National Security subcommittee staff, which i chair we held a briefing on the federal bureau of investigation and the Cybersecurity Agency to discuss the latest uptick in Cyber Attacks during the coronavirus pandemic. Against the federal agency, research and academic institutions. And even private citizens. During the briefing our committee was told every institution or agency conducting Coronavirus Vaccine research isdu a target, is a current target for cyber, foreign cyber attackers produce our intelligence agencies worn before 911, the system is blinking red. In only two years ago, then National Security adviser, john bolton dismantled the National Cyber coordinator position leaving the u. S. Cybersecurity policy disjunctive. The need for greater leadership, Strategic Planning and policy coordination to ensure the security of our nation could not be more urgent or important. So imm pleased to support hr 7331 which will allow for the National Cyber director and i would encourage all of my colleagues to do the same. Again i want to thank the chairwoman for her willingness tto hold this hearing today pretty want to thank all of our witnesses for testifying. Look forward to the discussion of building even greater bipartisanship and consensus are on the importance of hr 7331. And lastly im also currently in a lockup at tni. Im at the capital today where i have an amendment pending prince im going to have to jump out and jump back in. I apologize for that, but that is our schedule. Iz i yield back, thank you madam chair. Thank you mr. Lynch. I now recognize mr. Grossman for an opening statement. Can you hear me . Yes we can hear. I appreciate this opportunity in my role, first of else could deceive got a witness on here i thank you for bringing him in. High pressure the opportunity in my role as Ranking Member of that National Security oversight to address an issue with major National Security ramifications. As Ranking Member komar address in the opening comments, our nations adversariesnk are stopping at nothing to steal our secrets, commercial expertise, and Sensitive Information held on a sprawling Computer Network connecting both public and private sector organizations. Chief among these cyber offenders is a chinese government. Unfortunately, despite a desire to play by the rules in international commerce, the President Trump says, we been treated unfairly by the chinese. Often times is wellintentioned Global Posture across United States are valuable intellectual property which flows out of our Nations Research institutions into chinese hands. The hearing today will help us determine whether federal government needs support in defending the highstakes malicious Cyber Attacks and continuing intrusions. One of the proposals by the Cyberspace Commission was a formation of new National Labor Director Office in the Senate Confirmed officials inside the white house. Whyag appreciate the commissions desire to ensure the federal government cybersecuritytr infrastructure proves a onestop shop like i like, wonder whether he might be too quick to create another new bureaucracy without carefully considering potential. We must keep in mind the Trump Administration success protecting our last from the disruptor, disruptive Cyber Incidents. And the Administration Strong stance against those who wish to take advantage of international attempts direct Technology Challenges presented by thera pandemic. Would we be doing a disservice to various agencies which already effectively coordinate cybersecurity responses for a nation . I want to keep an open mind on the merits of any proposal to improve the National Security. I appreciate todays witnesses, the time and attention that each dedicated to protecting our nations information and structures. I look forward to the witnesses testimony and perspectives to properly d conflict with Cyber Attacks against our government and private sector. Thank you chairman, my counterpart on that National Security subcommittee chairman lynch. Andd Ranking Member for all of your interest. I look forward to work with each of you to ensure the respective american cybersecurity against all types of threats. For those who wish to do americans harm. I yield back. I will now introduce our first panel of witnesses with our colleagues here in the House Sp

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