Cybersecurity Enhancement Act Of 2009

Floor Speech

Cybersecurity Enhancement Act Of 2009

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Mr. POLIS. Thank you, Chairman Gordon. Madam Chair, I rise today in support of the Polis amendment to H.R. 4061, the Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2009. We enjoyed working very closely with Chairman Gordon, his staff, Representative Lipinski; and I appreciate their leadership on this critical and bipartisan bill that will train the experts who we need to tackle tomorrow's challenges and enable the United States and the world to stay competitive in cybersecurity.

In a world of blogs and widgets, smartphones and email, we are truly a global community, growing ever-closer and ever-more interconnected. The average citizen cannot help but feel part of an extended electronic family. Technological progress has enhanced our personal and work lives regardless of our job or position. As someone who has founded and run several small technology-related businesses, I can speak to the advantages of working in the technology age and how it's improved my ability now on the political side to represent the people of Colorado's Second Congressional District.

My amendment expands the proposed internship opportunities available to participants in the Federal Cyber Scholarship for Service program to include placements in the private sector. I believe it will serve tomorrow's cybersecurity professionals and our national security interests to open up this program to a diversity of experience from the public and private sector. For the future recipients of these scholarships, it will provide the occasion to serve not only in the Federal technology workforce but also at the abundance of small, medium and large businesses that help make up our Nation's economy.

My district is a great example of where institutions of higher education, small business and the Federal Government cooperate to benefit one another and the rest of the Nation. We have a thriving community of startups, lower than average unemployment and a history of growing successful small businesses. With the collaboration of budding cybersecurity professionals from the University of Colorado in Boulder, these companies can benefit from their education and, in turn, impart the practical knowledge that will build each student's portfolio of experience. Having gained and grown from these experiences, I am positive that their education in the private sector will help promote unique solutions to daunting tasks during their time in the Federal Government. What originally seemed like a strategy only applicable to small high-tech companies in Boulder can now serve as a useful tool when confronted with the task of fending off cyberattacks from nation-states or rogue individuals.

The state of cybersecurity is fast becoming one of the greatest challenges of the 21st century. It's apparent that despite increased spending on research and development, our technological infrastructure is still vulnerable. China's recent intrusion into Google's operations should serve as a call for preparedness to both the private sector and the Federal Government.

This past May, President Obama's cyberspace policy review highlighted the importance of developing partnerships between the Federal Government and the private sector. The limits of cybergrowth are constantly expanding and so too must our plans to address the plethora of issues that crop up. As Secretary Clinton put it recently: ``The Internet, though a blessing, can be a threat to those who would fall prey to cyberterrorism.'' It is our job, as inventors and stewards of the Internet, to ensure unhindered, free and secure access to enrich the lives of everyone.

By boosting our training capabilities, we are helping to ensure a safe and free Internet experience. This amendment helps to guarantee that we are addressing the long-term challenges inherent in cybersecurity. It will create ties to the private sector and cultivate a workforce for the future. Madam Chairman, this amendment and this bill are critical to protecting our Nation's sensitive information and ensuring our cybersecurity. I appreciate the Committee of the Whole for accepting this amendment and Mr. Gordon for offering it.

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