Chairwoman Maloney's Opening Statement [PDF]

Washington D.C. (July 13, 2020)— On Wednesday, July 15, 2020, at 12:00 p.m. E.T., Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney, the Chairwoman of the Committee on Oversight and Reform, will hold a remote hearing to examine U.S. cybersecurity preparedness and the bipartisan  H.R. 7331, the National Cyber Director Act, which would create the position of a National Cyber Director within the White House to lead national-level coordination of cyber strategy and policy. 

Cyberattacks are a critical, complex, prevalent, and growing threat to the nation’s safety and economic security, touching nearly every aspect of daily life.  The coronavirus crisis serves as a prime example of the extent to which sophisticated cybercriminals rapidly adapt their tactics to target perceived vulnerabilities by exploiting catastrophes.  By the end of March, every country in the world had seen at least one attack aimed at exploiting the coronavirus crisis.  

Currently, federal cybersecurity responsibilities are spread across multiple agencies and subject to a constantly evolving cyberthreat landscape.  A key recommendation of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission, which was established by the FY 2019 National Defense Authorization Act, is the creation of the National Cyber Director in the Executive Office of the President to streamline the federal government’s response to a cyberattack across agencies.

Wednesday’s hearing will examine these concerns and how they are addressed in H.R. 7331, which would create the role of a National Cyber Director.