DHS: Interagency Information Sharing Vital to Combat Evolving Cyber Threats
Media Contact: Lauren Claffey; April Ward (202) 226-8477
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, the Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Security Technologies Subcommittee held a hearing entitled, “Emerging Threats and Technologies to Protect the Homeland.”
The hearing examined the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) efforts to combat cyber attacks and cyber crime, prevent radiological and nuclear material from entering our borders and protect the homeland by leveraging science and technology. The subcommittee heard testimony from the relevant DHS components that are working to combat these developing threats, as well as an official from Congressional Research Services (CRS).
Rep. John Ratcliffe, chairman of the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Security Technologies, emphasized the need for full coordination and cooperation among all of the actors involved in protecting the homeland from cyber threats.
“Given the recent alarming terrorist attacks in Paris, the increase in radical and violent extremist activity across Europe and the increase in cyber attacks from nation state and organized criminal actors, it’s important that each of these components rise to the challenge and meet these threats,” said Ratcliffe.
The officials noted DHS’s efforts to combat evolving technological threats with the administration’s recent creation of the Cyber Threat and Intelligence Integration Center (CTIIC).
“The CTIIC is designed to address a specific problem—the integration of intelligence from across intelligence community agencies” said Dr. Andy Ozment, Assistant Secretary, Cybersecurity and Communications for the Department of Homeland Security. “The CTIIC will provide integrated intelligence in support of the National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center’s (NCCIC) daily operations. From that perspective, the CTIIC will help the NCCIC by providing that integrated perspective.”
Full video of Subcommittee Chairman Ratcliffe’s opening statement is available HERE.
Full video of Subcommittee Chairman Ratcliffe’s questions is available HERE.
###