TIA Urges House to Enact Global Cybersecurity Policies that Support Private Sector Innovation

Washington, D.C. — The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), the leading association representing the manufacturers and suppliers of high-tech global communications networks, today sent a letter to House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) urging them to support cybersecurity measures that protect U.S. innovation and reflect the borderless, global nature of today's cyber threats. TIA is the leading association for the information and communications technology (ICT) industry, which is heavily involved in efforts to improve cybersecurity.

"The ICT industry plays an important role in detecting, preventing, and responding to cyber threats faced by U.S. institutions and businesses," said TIA President Grant Seiffert. "Cybersecurity legislation is needed, but too much regulation and bureaucracy could stifle innovation and constrain industry's ability to rapidly respond to new threats."

In the letter, Seiffert writes, "Congress should recognize that global approaches to cybersecurity policy are needed, and it should therefore avoid imposing policies that would have harmful reciprocal market effects on the U.S. ICT industry, such as difficult-to-implement supply chain requirements."

The letter — which can be viewed in its entirety here — encourages members of Congress to focus on the following policy goals and legislation:

• Improving Information-sharing. Ensure that the private sector has access to information necessary to defend against cyber attacks, protect the private sector from liability for its efforts to improve cybersecurity, and support existing information-sharing and analysis organizations. TIA supports the Cyber Intelligence Sharing Protection Act (H.R. 3523).
• Supporting Cybersecurity Research and Development. Increase federal cybersecurity R&D activities to complement the significant efforts already being made by the ICT industry in this area. TIA supports the Cybersecurity Enhancement Act (H.R. 2096), and also supports the Advancing America's Networking and Information Technology Research and Development Act (H.R. 3834).
• FISMA Reform. TIA supports efforts to improve and harmonize cybersecurity programs across government agencies. In doing so, Congress should focus on the security practices of agencies and their personnel while avoiding ICT security standard requirements that could prove disruptive to the ICT supply chain.
• Improving Public Awareness through Education. TIA strongly supports federal efforts to increase awareness of cybersecurity issues among both institutional users and the general public.

About TIA
The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) represents the manufacturers and suppliers of global information and communications technology (ICT) networks through standards development, policy and advocacy, business opportunities, market intelligence, and events and networking. Since 1924, TIA has been enhancing 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.

Join TIA at its annual Member Meeting, Conference and Exhibition, TIA 2012: Inside the Network, June 5-7, 2012 in Dallas. For details go to tia2012.org.

TIA is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Read ANSI's report, "Standards Boost Business" at standardsboostbusiness.org.

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TIA is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Read ANSI's report, "Standards Boost Business" at standardsboostbusiness.org/.

TIA's Board of Directors includes senior-level executives from ACS Solutions, ADTRAN, Alcatel-Lucent, Cisco Systems, Dow Chemical Company, Ericsson, Inc., FAL Associates, GENBAND, Inc., Henkels & McCoy, Juniper Networks, ILS Technology, Intel Corporation, LGE, Microsoft, Motorola Mobility, Motorola Solutions, Nokia Siemens Networks, Numerex Corp., OneChip Photonics, Panasonic Computer Solutions Co., Qualcomm, Sumitomo Electric Lightwave Corporation, Tarana Wireless, Inc., Tellabs, TE Connectivity, Walker and Associates and WirefreeCom, Inc.