TIA Applauds Passage of CISPA by the House of Representatives

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:  Ashley Rook, +1.202.429.4929, AshleyRook@Rational360.com

TIA Applauds Passage of CISPA by the House of Representatives
Cyber R&D Legislation is Also Approved

ARLINGTON, VA (April 18, 2013) – The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), the leading association representing the manufacturers and suppliers of high-tech communications networks, applauds the House of Representatives for passing H.R. 624, the Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act.   Grant Seiffert, president of TIA, issued the following statement:

“With businesses facing more – and more insidious – cyber-attacks, today’s vote was an important step toward giving the private sector a powerful tool in the fight to improve network security.  The ICT industry is very aware of the cyber threats being faced by U.S. institutions, and our member companies play an important role in detecting, preventing, mitigating, and responding to those rapidly changing threats.  Today’s bipartisan action by the House will help ensure that business have access to the vital information necessary to defend against cyber-attacks.  TIA thanks Reps. Rogers and Ruppersberger for their significant work on this legislation over the past two years, including their repeated and continued willingness to engage with all stakeholders regarding privacy & civil liberties concerns.

“We also applaud the House for its overwhelming passage of three other cybersecurity-related bills.  World-leading research and development is a vital element to making certain U.S. businesses can increase their cybersecurity.  H.R. 967, the Advancing America’s Networking and Information Research and Development [NITRD] Act, will codify the important work of the NITRD program in promoting networking and ICT research across the federal government, and help ensure that networking R&D funds are appropriately spent.  H.R. 756, the Cybersecurity Enhancement Act, will promote cybersecurity-specific R&D and educational awareness programs.  H.R. 1163, the Federal Information Security Amendments Act, will reform cybersecurity practices and procedures relating to federal systems.  TIA thanks Reps. Lummis, McCaul, and Issa and the members of the House Science and Government Reform Committees for their sponsorship and support of these bills.

“TIA urges the Senate to quickly pass all four of these bills to ensure that the government and the private sector are well-positioned to respond to the cyber threats of today, and prepared to face the emerging threats of tomorrow.”

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About TIA

The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) represents manufacturers and suppliers of global communications networks through standards development, policy and advocacy, business opportunities, market intelligence, and events and networking. TIA enhances the business environment for broadband, mobile wireless, information technology, networks, cable, satellite and unified communications. Members' products and services empower communications in every industry and market, including healthcare, education, security, public safety, transportation, government, the military, the environment, and entertainment. Visit tiaonline.org for more details.

TIA is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), and is a proud sponsor of ANSI’s Standards Boost Business campaign. Visit www.standardsboostbusiness.org for details.

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