On the recordFebruary 3, 2010
My amendment to H.R. 4061 expands computer and network security capacity, building grants to allow for collaboration between community colleges, universities, and Manufacturing Extension Partnership centers. As we all know, cybersecurity is an issue that affects both our national security and our economic prosperity, and it poses a particular problem for our small businesses. Small and medium-sized businesses often cannot shoulder the costs of developing and maintaining the mechanisms needed to protect themselves from cybersecurity threats. Individually, the security of these firms may seem like a minor affair compared to larger economic and government entities; however, the 27 million small and medium-sized businesses across the country account for 95 percent of our Nation's business. Collaboration will benefit all participants, from applied research and curriculum planning on the academic side to workforce training and better, more cost-efficient security measures for Manufacturing Extension Partnership centers and their industry partners. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support the Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2009 and my amendment that will help small businesses, starting with our manufacturers, better confront the serious challenges of cyberspace security.
