Independent Commission Examines Nation's Cyber Vulnerabilities

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), along with Congressmen Jim Langevin (D-RI) and Michael McCaul (R-TX), today announced a bipartisan Commission on Cyber Security for the 44th Presidency – the administration that will take office in January 2009. This nonpartisan Commission will develop recommendations for a comprehensive strategy for organizing and prioritizing efforts to secure America’s computer networks and critical infrastructure.

The Commission consists of 31 leading experts in the field of cyber security, who bring extensive government experience and knowledge of the cyber environment. Langevin Chairman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emerging Threats, Cyber Security and Science and Technology and McCaul, Ranking Member on the Subcommittee, along with Scott Charney, corporate vice president for trustworthy computing at Microsoft and retired Navy Admiral Bobby Inman, Lyndon B. Johnson National Policy Chair at the University of Texas at Austin will co-chair the Commission.

"I commend CSIS for sponsoring this Commission. I believe the government, across all levels, is too complacent when it comes to protecting their digital assets and this needs to change," said Langevin, chair of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emerging Threats, Cyber Security and Science and Technology. "I look forward to working with the Commission to present a comprehensive report to our next president."

"The next President and their administration must be prepared to hit the ground and protect America’s cyber networks," stated Congressman Michael McCaul (R-TX), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emerging Threats, Cyber Security and Science and Technology. He went on to say, "As it stands now this nation is severely challenged by current cyber attacks and I look forward to working with the commission to make sure the 44th President of the United States is well prepared to manage and, more importantly, prevent these attacks."

The Commission on Cyber Security for the 44th Presidency will assess current and future threats, review authorities, policies, and government organization for cyber security, and evaluate requirements for critical infrastructure protection. Its agenda will include such issues as infrastructure protection, software assurance, and information security initiatives in the both public and the private sectors. The final product would be a package of recommendations to improve America’s cyber security. The Commission will complete its work by December 2008.

"As commerce and online communication have flourished, so have the challenges to cyber security. It is imperative that industry and government work together to take the steps necessary to secure the Internet and critical infrastructures," said Charney. "We need a holistic approach that includes technology, policy, vigilance in the public and private sectors, and law enforcement. I look forward to working with CSIS, my co-chairs, and the members of the Commission to provide recommendations to the next President on improving cyber security."

"Cyber Security is a critical challenge facing the country in the years ahead," said Inman.

For more information visit https://www.csis.org/cybersecurity.