Donna Edwards: “I probably, like lots of Americans, have faced the circumstance, even in this last month and a half, private information…”

“I probably, like lots of Americans, have faced the circumstance, even in this last month and a half, private information compromised first at a bank, then at a Federal agency, and then at a retail establishment, all within the span of a month and a half. Threats such as identity theft, denial of service attacks, worms, viruses, the loss of sensitive information, and other malicious activity are a part of the ever-evolving cybersecurity threat to our country. It's important that we act swiftly to prepare our Nation for these threats and to anticipate the threats that we'll face in the years to come. This bipartisan bill really accomplishes all of these goals. And further, the amendment that I'm offering really encourages the National Institute of Standards and Technology to work with other Federal Government entities, State governments and the private sector partners to develop a framework that States may follow as they strengthen their cybersecurity standards.”