The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) endorsed the Cybersecurity Act of 2013 (S. 1353). In a letter sent to Senators Rockefeller and Thune, TIA President Grant Seiffert stressed the importance of making certain companies are able to adapt to evolving threats. In the letter, Seiffert commented:
“TIA and our member companies are committed to ensuring that ICT products, technologies, and systems are secure, reliable, and able to adapt to ever-evolving threats.
Therefore, we thank you for making technology neutrality and innovation key principles of your bill. As you have recognized, to achieve effective security outcomes in a fast-changing threat environment, government regulation cannot dictate how (or whether) particular ICT products are used, designed, developed, or manufactured.
“As NIST continues its work, it is essential that the Cybersecurity Framework be based on a voluntary, standards-driven approach that incorporates public-private partnerships and greater information sharing.”
Here is the letter sent to Jay Rockerfeller and John Thune
July 31, 2013
The Honorable Jay Rockefeller and The Honorable John Thune
Committee on Commerce, Science, Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Dear Chairman Rockefeller and Ranking Member Thune: The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), the leading trade association for global manufacturers, vendors, and suppliers of information and communications technology (ICT), is writing to express its support for S. 1353, the Cybersecurity Act of 2013.
TIA and our member companies are committed to ensuring that ICT products, technologies, and systems are secure, reliable, and able to adapt to ever-evolving threats.
Therefore, we thank you for making technology neutrality and innovation key principles of your bill. As you have recognized, to achieve effective security outcomes in a fast-changing threat environment, government regulation cannot dictate how (or whether) particular ICT products are used, designed, developed, or manufactured.
As NIST continues its work, it is essential that the Cybersecurity Framework be based on a voluntary, standards-driven approach that incorporates public-private partnerships and greater information sharing. The Framework must also address the economic barriers for the owners & operators of critical infrastructure to secure their systems, and incorporate a global approach that reflects the diverse global ICT marketplace. As the process continues, Congress must be vigilant to ensure that the Framework and policies developed by other agencies are consistent with the principles above.
We also thank you for the bill’s focus on cybersecurity research and development, workforce training and education, and public awareness. All of these components are essential to ensure that governments, businesses, and individuals alike will be well-prepared to address cyber threats both now and in the future.
We look forward to working with you on these important issues. For more information, please contact Danielle Coffey at (703)-907-7734 or by email at [email protected]. Sincerely, Grant E. Seiffert President
