Sen. Carper: Cooperation Between Defense, Homeland Security Departments to Address Cyber Security Commendable; Underscores Need for Legislation to Provide Enhanced Support to Cyber Security Effort

WASHINGTON – Today, Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, Federal Services and International Security, released the following statement commending the joint announcement by the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security on their intention to cooperate more closely on cyber security efforts: 

"I welcome this announcement by the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security. Given the serious nature of the threat facing our nation’s most important information networks, enhanced cooperation between these two critical agencies will improve our nation’s cyber security efforts.  While this announcement reflects this Administration’s strong commitment to addressing threats to our vital civilian and military computer systems and networks, it also underscores the need for legislative action by Congress to aid the Administration’s efforts. I am hopeful that Congress will soon pass comprehensive legislation, such as the Protecting Cyberspace as a National Asset Act of 2010 that I co-authored with Sens. Lieberman and Collins, to better protect our country from cyber attacks from cyber criminals, cyber terrorists and other nations."

Sen. Carper has been a national leader on cyber security issues and, as chairman of a key Senate Homeland Security subcommittee, has chaired several hearings over the past three years examining ways to more effectively secure the U.S. from cyber attacks. These hearings culminated in June 2010 when the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee passed comprehensive cyber security legislation, the Protecting Cyberspace as a National Asset Act of 2010 (S.3480). Sponsored by Sens. Tom Carper (D-Del), Joe Lieberman (ID-Conn.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine), this legislation aims to modernize, strengthen and coordinate the security of the federal, civilian and private sector critical infrastructure networks. One key provision in the bill, authored by Sen. Carper, would also provide the Department of Homeland Security with the authority to develop and bolster cyber security challenges across the nation in order to identify, educate and train the future cyber security workforce.