Transcripts For CSPAN2 House Hearing On Creating A National

The largest outbreak through death and disability and those International Resources we must ask ourselves what we should do right now to protect the American People before the unthinkable happens to ensure we are a nation prepared. That same road widespread and then to jeopardize and the report states and i quote as a strategic competitor including cyberespionage. This is a growing threat to the nation with Economic Security with every aspect of ours. Lives. [inaudible] and with the cybersecurity to defend america again cyberattack. And then in addition on a daily basis to be critical to have widespread damage. And those recommendations a high level on both sides of the aisle cybersecurity for the white house to develop and to streamline and the role this first formalized and then elevated and expanded and the National Security advisor john bolton with another layer of bureaucracy. And in 2019 and in 2020 it dropped to 17th. Today we have the recommendation to establish National Cybersecurity and then in addition for those resources andd Statutory Authority and then to coordinate that challenge is to be strategic and to organize democrats and republicans agree. We need a National Cybersecurity threat to make sure we are prepared for the cyberattacks so our Mission Today with that attempt to be a vehicle and now i recognize the distinguished member. Bank you chairwoman maloney to address the cybersecurity posture and those to establish the cyberdirector office of the president. And with that dynamic with the jurisdictions of expertise across the federal government and that the Critical Industries of commercial interests. And then interconnected Information Systems and then from the work from home posture. And as all have a vested interest to exploit the us nanetworks. And those at the private sector partners a state level institutionste and those commercial networks by foreign governments expose sensitive there were intelligent data and then to do a cyberinfrastructure. And then to have a vital cyberthreat to help secure the Critical Infrastructure. And those notable subject Matter Experts and they also have experience to combat said cyberattacks from foreign adversaries like china hacking to steal valuable r d and with that intellectual property i would welcome the opportunity to hold china to the bad ask over the course of the pandemic and today we look forward to oversee the cybersecurity of the federal government with that legislative proposal to be a good steward of taxpayer dollars and with that assessment but the cybersecurity is complicated. While there have been more than several high profile cybersecurity incidents and that to the Biomedical Research activities and those cuat than the trumph administration. And then those cyberincidents and that is to be effective defensively and offensively so it is imperative congress in the committee fully evaluate the reasons when the commission with the cyberdirector. Is it necessary to create another federal office to be in charge and if so what everyone else follow mine and work in harmony . And they have a piece of the cybersecurity by so are we having a system or prepared to face growingng cyberthreats nor do we risk making that bureaucratic pie bigger and with that security and or do we align those systems already in place . I look forward to hearing aboutlo tangible ideas how we would respond to a cyberincident and that would be better than the system already in place. So when expertise is paramount we cannot have those bureaucratic hurdles madam chairwoman it deserves a supportive Public Policy to not hinder dynamic policy across the federal cybersector and with that cybersecurity leader to limit the president ial prerogative on behalf of the American People i appreciate the opportunity to review and i yield back. And with the distinguish man for his opening statements. Thank you for convening the hearing which allows for the creation of the National Cyberdirector. The idea not only reasonable but necessary and long overdue and im well aware and i thank you manner friends with a bipartisan commitment and also in for the National Security experts and that future is already here. In 2014 that Information System Personnel Management to compromise the personal data those that either applied for and to classified information and also well aware of the systemic efforts in 2016 to interfere in the president ial election or attempting to penetrate that infrastructure in all 50 states. So to speak to those concerns and with that National Subcommittee staff with that Security Agency and with the coronavirus pandemic with the federal Agency Research and academic institutions that every institutionac or agency conducting Coronavirus Vaccine research is a target for foreign cyberattackers. The system is blinking red only two years ago National Security advisor john bolton dismantled the position of the Security Council leaving the park leaving them rudderless and disjointed. And then in that cyberdomain cannot be more urgent to allow for the creation of the National Cyberdirector i would encourage all of my colleagues to do the same. Thank you to the chairwoman for holding this hearing and thank you to the witnesses for testifying and to build the van greater bipartisanship and lastly im currently and i markup at the capital today i have an amendment pending so i will have to jump out and jumpnd in. I apologize and i yield back. Can you hear me . I appreciate the opportunity first of all its great to see we have a witness on hear from wisconsin. And as Ranking Member of the National Subcommittee oversight as addressed they will stop at nothing with commercial expertise and information held on a Sprawling Network and chief among the cyberoffenders is the Chinese Government with a desire to play by the rules weve been treated unfairly by the chinese often times is posture costs the United States intellectual property intonf chinese hands is a help us determine the federal government against the highstakes intrusion. One of the proposals by the Cyberspace Commission was a new National Cyberdirector and then to just that the federal Government Cybersecurity guidelines that we could be too quick to have a bureaucracy we must keep in mind the Trump Administration success with the last midterm elections in the Administration Stance against those who wish to take advantage of those technologies and what to coordinate those responses from the nation and then to improve the National Cybersecurity i appreciate swaays witnesses and the time and attention for protecting the information and infrastructure. I look forward to their testimony and perspective for the current multi agency and coordinate effective responses to cyberattacks and private sector thank you chair man maloney to make sure the cybersecurity that wish to do americans harm and i yelled bac back. I yield back. First those here in the house of representatives serving on the us Cyberspace Commission commissioner of the Cyberspace Commission and the emerging threat and capabilities of the House Armed Services committee and congressman Mike Gallagher and a proud new father. Congratulations on becoming a father. The best job in the world you are nowco recognized to give your testimony. And distinguish members of humbling toe its sit on the side of the table thank you for the important work that you do and to raise the issue to create a National Cyberdirector. I joined today as a representative of the commission i am proud to be joined in one of the cochairs and also than his father in the house i know youre coming off Maternity Leave to be here for the hearing and i commend you for your work. In the 2019 National Defense Organization Act congress tried to develop a consensus on a strategic approach to defend the Unitedd States against cyberattacks. In our first meeting however outside experts told us we were attempting impossible trying to have a 9 11 Commission Level of impact without precipitating event of september 11 madam chair i reject that cynical view and if we come together in a nonpartisan fashion to implement the recommendation we can alter the trend year after year and push back into the cyberdomain with the asymmetric operations and not left to wander the day after an attack while more we could have done. Thats how i view the work that is the urgency i bring to the table more so than any of the other 82 recommendations the National Cyberdirector seizes the initiative from adversaries. And with every aspect of government every department and agency and then to conduct business. Because cybersecurity is difficult to measure we end up with misaligned incentives people skip it would rather be irrelevant programs we need a strong leader and the white house to defeat the inertia that bush investment down the road until the devastating breach occurs. And those that rely on Critical Infrastructure most of which is owned and operated by the private sector. Once we can rely on the oceans and neighbors to insulatede us but today those power plants are on the front lines of shadow campaigns only in the white house to breakdown that we can protect our networks. We need a National Cyberdirector to coordinate Incident Response living through Public Health crisis the likes we have not seen in over aro century. And then to stamp out infections and computer viruses and quarantine networks this is the only possible and to work on it and with that presidency for taking great pains to describe the solarium by president eisenhower has a way of refining ones thinking we debated the proposal extensively and we were very deliberate in our decisionmaking. We chose an office only the white house can reach across to manage the risks so pervasive. The Senate Confirmed position because congressional oversight is critical to the success. We chose to preserve a coordinated rather than operational band because the cyberdefenders needs strategic guidance not tactical advice. At the National Cyberdirector is congressional overreach. Those that say they are the arbiter in congress has no business. The shipping norms this to their interest in the international stage. Striking out in our partners and allies. And undermine our elections. And they see the initiative and is coming at the agenda and pushing back on her editors and chipping their behavior by improving your resilience system bring its venture. Serving on this commission as well is its been one of the most rewarding explains is among offering his leadership, and the contributions of our fellow commissioners, the enormous dedication of our talented staff. In the build that we are discussing today. I look forward to answer any questions that you may have. Thank you so much congressman. Thank you for your leadership and for your action on the security of our nation. Thank you chairwoman and the rest of the committee. Thank you for the kind words. As a i member, but the because i have not had that much sleep so im truly blessed and thank you for the kind words. We do not keep them just to merely protect the territory. We keep it to defend in a way of life. And right now, emerging Technology Empowers stronger more capable Digital Networks admitting shes never part of government, economy, and a way of life. How we navigate the resulting opportunities and challenges will determine the effectiveness of our nation to deal with future cyber driven cyber enabled. For the past 20 years, the commissions Initiative Study for they have been challenging in establishing the challenges. In the cyber challenges. Its imperative that they have leadership within the white house. What creates the position of National Cyber director and with that position would entail, was one of the most spirited and imparted debates over the course of the mission. In myy colleagues, was actually incredible and thought leadership in and the integrity of the Cyberspace Commission process. I learned a ton or from him. And due to his leadership, weve really considered 100 address the gap and coordination. Until weather went to recommend Senate Confirmation and three the size and structure in scope of authority for the coordinator and leadership. We decided that the federal government would be better equipped strengthening existing department and Agency Efforts in Cyber Security including infrastructure Security Agency. Rather than the creation of a new department as many advocated for. Therefore we get a new f agency, the commission is to tillage position in the white house within the executive office of the president rated to be essential to get the position in high enough level of prominent to effectively ordinate national and provide muchneeded leadership internationally. The state and local travel and territorial governments. Under the private sector. In recognition ofe that, may fr battery collaboration, the chamber of commerce recently address the bipartisan legislation. Weve spent an enormous amount of time weighing the pros and cons of this position. In the center of the position pray to be determined they were requiring them to be Senate Confirmed rated. Much in the way in which the u. S. Trade rep. Confirmed on not only signal that congress is committed to cyber issues but also for us as legislators a level of access to that conversation but also the persons that occupies that position a level of political support. While maintaining the discretion of the president in selecting thaselecting that candidate. In other words provide greater permanence. I think institutionalizing position and ensure the role went indoor throughout the president ial transitions and not just be dependent on the whim of a particular president of particular National Security advisor. I understand there are those particular colleagues who may be skeptical that this is an added layer of our bureaucracy. I came into this discussion with that is my ideological. But unless you believe that the status quo is indeed getting the job done right and unless you believe that we are at present well structure to avoid a cyber 911 of my colleagues referred to. Then you have to consider how we can make it meaningful reform is the status quo. And indeed rather than creating an entirely new agency, which would take years to create and much more complex andnd referred entered for the money. I view of creation of a single focal point in the White House Principal person. A single throat to choke pray to someone who is responsible for this effort. To be the least bureaucratic, the least hundred and the most efficient above all possible options also gives congress a greater window into this discussion as i alluded to reliably been waiting Congress Must be enabling the government to create cohesive National Strategy as we do in all other domains of battle. Armistice out today. So i urge you to support the commissioners recommendation. So that in the war, when we fight on we will fight with all elements as one single concentrated effort. Withth that, i will close my comments. I think you for your timese and consideration. Thank you and this is truly a bipartisan approach. We will be limiting questions for the first panel. I now recognize i sell for five minutes. And i want to start with you mr. Because coronavirus places have created so much talk, and since our country has failed to prepare for what many have called inevitable. An increasing connected and Technology Driven world, many experts warn that aec large scae cyber attack is also inevitable. They believe that examining the Cyber Security in the context of the pandemic. And mr. Gallagher, and eight out the business between Lessons Learned and the pandemic and helped we can inform with preparations