Thornberry Lauds Cyber Bill's Focus on Information Sharing

Statement

U.S. Congressman Mac Thornberry, the leader of the House Cybersecurity Task Force and a senior member of the Intelligence Committee, made the following comments about the bipartisan "Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act of 2011," introduced by Rep. Mike Rogers (R-MI) and Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD):

"The Rogers/Ruppersberger bill is a very positive step forward in improving our cybersecurity. It focuses on one of the central issues identified by the House Cybersecurity Task Force, which is information sharing. It is far too difficult today for the government and private sector to all work together to protect us. This kind of cooperation should be a priority as Congress works on cyber legislation.

"This bill is bipartisan, and in this environment, that fact is a credit to everyone involved. I hope we can find other areas of agreement on this growing issue."

"As this bill moves through the process, I am sure that it will be refined and improved, and I commend the sponsors for this major advance in an area crucial to our country's economic and national security."

The House Cybersecurity Task Force, comprised of representatives from the nine committees with significant jurisdiction over cybersecurity, was created early in 2011 by Speaker John Boehner and Majority Leader Eric Cantor. The group of lawmakers was charged with drafting a framework for legislative action on cyber for this Congress. The Task Force delivered its recommendations to the Speaker and Majority Leader on October 3, 2011. The report has been well-received on Capitol Hill, as well as in other places in the public and private sectors. You can find the report here.

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