Rep. Ratcliffe Exposes National Security Implications of Cyber Threats

Statement

Rep. John Ratcliffe (R-Texas) today chaired a subcommittee hearing where top cybersecurity experts confirmed the serious national security threats posed by nation states and other malicious cyber actors.

In the hearing, titled "Emerging Cyber Threats to the United States," witnesses highlighted the latest cybersecurity threats from nation states, criminal organizations and terrorist groups before the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection and Security Technologies.

"Cybersecurity is national security, and today's hearing reaffirmed this important principle. We cannot allow cyber adversaries to be left undeterred from conducting attacks that could jeopardize sensitive matters of national security, compromise our nation's critical infrastructure and undermine the personal privacy of Americans," Ratcliffe said.

According to Frank J. Cilluffo, Director of the George Washington University Center for Cyber & Homeland Security, "Nation states and their proxies continue to present the greatest -- meaning most advanced and persistent -- threat in the cyber domain."

Cilluffo went on to discuss the capabilities of other cyber threat actors such as foreign terrorist organizations. While he acknowledged that these groups currently lack the sophistication to perform highly disruptive cyber-attacks, the intent to do harm exists.

"It is likely that ISIS, or their sympathizers, will increasingly turn to disruptive cyber-attacks," Cilluffo said.

"As a former federal terrorism prosecutor, protecting our homeland is always a top priority," Ratcliffe said. "And in today's world, defending against cyber threats plays an enormous role in keeping Americans safe. I will continue utilizing my role as a cybersecurity subcommittee chairman to ensure this important goal is met."

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