Sherwood Boehlert: “Mr. Chairman, as we wrap up this debate, I know a lot of people are wondering what is the big deal about cybersecurity…”

“Mr. Chairman, as we wrap up this debate, I know a lot of people are wondering what is the big deal about cybersecurity; and my own wife, Marianne, who is frequently at the computer when I am home, says that we have to do a better job of explaining the importance of this, and she is absolutely right. So much of what we do in this Nation is dependent upon the security of our computer systems. Everything is dependent upon computer technology today: our financial networks, our communication systems, our electric power grid, our water supply. The list goes on and on. If we have a clever 15-year-old hacker penetrate that system, that is mischief. But when we have a terrorist with a potential to penetrate that system and misuse it, that is serious business. What we are about is very serious business: to train skilled people and to place the emphasis that needs to be placed on protecting our cybersystem in every way, shape, or manner.”