Representative Jim Langevin (D-R.I.), ranking member of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities and co-founder/co-chair of the Congressional Cybersecurity Caucus, lauded the committee in a statement for recognizing the importance of cybersecurity in the FY 2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA, H.R. 4909), which passed out of the full committee yesterday (Defense Daily, April 28).
Langevin thanked subcommittee Chairman Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) and other committee members “for producing a proposal that recognizes the importance of cybersecurity as part of a comprehensive national security strategy.”
He highlighted the bill fully sustains cyber funding and provides authority to establish a unified combatant command for cyber operations, which Langevin calls “a critical step forward in identifying and combatting unique conflicts throughout the cyber domain.”
The bill also maintained a provision written by Langevin that acknowledges intrusion software controls included in the Wassenaar Arrangement could negatively affect national security.
The Commerce Department issued a proposed rule to control digital intrusion software last year in line with an addition to the Wassenaar Arrangement regime, which works to maintain security through transparency and promoting dual-use technology controls. The proposed rule received overwhelmingly negative comments from industry, non-government organizations, and legislators. Opponents said the rule was far too broad and the original Wassenaar addition itself might need to be renegotiated to narrow the controls.
Last month the Obama administration indeed decided to attempt a renegotiation of this intrusion software rule at the Wassenaar Arrangement after being unable to find a compromise with stakeholders short of that step (Defense Daily, March 2).
Langevin’s language in the NDAA requires the Defense Department to brief the committee on ways such controls could impact departmental operations, focusing on international partners.
“We cannot afford to take risks with cyber funding, and as the co-founder and co-chair of the Congressional Cybersecurity Caucus, I am encouraged by this committee’s continued emphasis on strengthening our nation’s cyber defenses,” Langevin said in a statement.
Langevin also highlighted NDAA provisions that make added investments in cybersecurity training and education programs. This includes an additional $10 million for the National Defense Education Program, $10 million for science and technology education at historically black colleges and universities, $3 million for Army Guard Cyber Protection Teams, and $5 million for public-private cyber training partnerships.
“I am encouraged by this commitment to STEM education and this investment in the future of the scientific and cybersecurity workforce that our national security will depend upon in the future,” Langevin added.