Next week when Members of Congress return to Washington, much focus will be on digesting what happened this week, electing caucus leaders for next year, and working to close out remaining 2016 business. However, committees will also have a chance to meet, and the House Energy & Commerce Committee is taking the opportunity to hold a hearing exploring online security in light of the cyberattacks last month that stopped or slowed access to sites like Twitter, Amazon, Spotify, Paypal, and Netflix. Communications & Technology Subcommittee Chairman Greg Walden (R-Ore.), who is competing with Rep. John Shimkus (R-Ill.) to take the full committee gavel, is co-chairing a hearing titled “Understanding the Role of Connected Devices in Recent Cyber Attacks” with Commerce Subcommittee Chairman Michael Burgess (R-Texas). In a joint statement, they said, “Internet connectivity remains a vital part of our economic well-being and our national security. Americans should not have to worry that the convenience and connectivity of the Internet of Things comes at the expense of the resiliency and reliability of the larger Internet.” They hope this hearing next Wednesday morning will shed light on how cyberattacks are evolving and what might be done to mitigate their risk.
By Aaron Mercer, Vice President of Government Relations
Published: November 11, 2016
