PALO ALTO, Calif. – This week, House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Mark E. Green, MD (R-TN) and Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection Chairman Andrew Garbarino (R-NY) visited Palo Alto, California, to hear from cybersecurity and tech industry leaders on issues impacting U.S. cybersecurity posture. They were joined by Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection Ranking Member, Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA). 
 
First, members toured the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, which is working to bolster U.S. critical infrastructure resilience, incentivize the next generation of Americans to pursue careers in STEM, and achieve scientific breakthroughs––such as the National Ignition Facility.

During their time in Palo Alto, members visited Apple headquarters to learn more about their cybersecurity mindset as a pioneering tech company. They discussed the importance of cybersecurity, especially multi-factor authentication, as an essential part of new technology and software, as well as critical infrastructure resilience. Next, in a visit to CrowdStrike’s office in Sunnyvale, members received an update on the current trends of nation-state and criminal threats in cyberspace and how the company is working to provide tools to rapidly detect and respond to threat actors. Both companies touched on how the growth of artificial intelligence can be both a force multiplier in the cybersecurity mission and a potential tool for adversaries.

Following the hearing, featuring testimony from Google, Palo Alto Networks, the Hoover Institution, and Corridor, members convened closed-door breakout discussions cybersecurity and tech leaders like Apple Microsoft, Tanium, Ivanti , Horizon3.Ai, and more. Former Secretary of State and Hoover Institution Director Condoleezza Rice opened the breakout session, warning that our cyber adversaries are becoming even more desperate and emboldened to use advancements in technologies against us. Participants called for more timely and actionable information sharing from the government on cyber threats, highlighted duplicative cybersecurity regulations, and outlined the need to incentivize product security on the frontend while ensuring old vulnerabilities are patched quickly to prevent avoidable attacks. 

“I am proud to have led a productive trip to the tech capital of America—and the world—to get the valuable perspective of experts and innovators who work every day to solve increasingly complex problems in cyberspace—from ransomware to regulations,” Chairman Green said. “Our hearing and discussions touched on important topics like regulatory harmonization, flipping economic models for cybersecurity, critical infrastructure resilience, bolstering the cyber workforce through measures such as my ‘Cyber PIVOTT Act’, and the importance of identifying hurdles to information sharing. I am grateful to the job creators, thought leaders, and former government officials for their thoughtful contributions this week and to the Hoover Institution for hosting such an important and timely hearing. We took a lot of notes, and I look forward to taking what we’ve learned back to D.C., where we will work together to turn this into real action.” 

“This trip to Palo Alto was a powerful reminder that America’s cybersecurity advantage depends on innovation, collaboration, and leadership. Meeting directly with the technology leaders and experts driving the future of cybersecurity allowed us to hear firsthand how Congress can better support their work—whether that means strengthening public-private partnerships, cutting through outdated red tape, or ensuring federal policies keep pace with the rapid evolution of the digital landscape,” SubcommitteeChairman Garbarino said.“I am grateful to everyone who hosted us and shared their expertise. Together, we are working to secure our nation’s critical infrastructure and ensure a safer, stronger future for all Americans.”

“Silicon Valley is the epicenter of innovation in cybersecurity. I am glad that the Chairman brought the committee to hear from the private sector on their home turf. Our site visits to Lawrence Livermore National Labs, Apple, and CrowdStrike illuminated new areas for collaboration between the private sector and federal government,” Subcommittee Ranking Member Eric Swalwell said. “I thank our witnesses for their compelling testimony, especially Mr. Jack Cable, who is a brilliant innovator in cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence. I am confident that this homeland security field hearing will motivate new bipartisan action to address pressing cybersecurity issues.”

Members visited Apple and CrowdStrike to learn more about their efforts to protect consumers and critical infrastructure from cyber threats, as well as how Congress can help improve public-private partnerships. 

Members held a productive discussion with the former secretary of state and Tad and Dianne Taube Director of the Hoover Institution Condoleezza Rice, alongside other leaders in the cybersecurity and tech industries.

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