National Cybersecurity Preparedness Consortium Act of 2016

Floor Speech

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Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4743, the National Cybersecurity Preparedness Consortium Act of 2016.

This bill allows the Department of Homeland Security to work with a cybersecurity consortium to carry out training, technical assistance and simulation exercises for State and local officials, critical infrastructure owners and operators and private industry.

The National Cybersecurity Preparedness Consortium, based at the University of Texas San Antonio's Center for Infrastructure Assurance and Security, provides research-based cybersecurity-related training and exercises to increase cybersecurity preparedness across the nation.

Other members of the Consortium include the Texas Engineering Extension Service in the Texas A&M University system, the University of Memphis, the University of Arkansas System, and Norwich University.

Last December, I helped usher through the landmark Cybersecurity Act of 2015. That legislation helps protect our nation's private sector and federal networks which are under continuous threat from foreign hackers and cyber terrorists. H.R. 4743 will be a value add in better securing the Nation's overall cybersecurity preparedness.

Locally, first responders and government officials as well as critical infrastructure owners and operators and private industry are bombarded with cybersecurity threats in the same way as at the federal level.

Helping organizations working to incorporate cybersecurity risk and incident prevention and response into State and local emergency plans is just one of the elements this bill encourages.

Allowing DHS to work with organizations like the Consortium, will ensure more tools are available back at home for those working to prepare for and combat cyber attacks on a regular basis.

I support this bill and urge my colleagues to do the same.

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