Homeland Security Joint Subcommittee Hearing on Cyber Threat from Iran -- TOMORROW

Washington, D.C. – The Homeland Security Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence, chaired by Rep. Patrick Meehan (R-PA), and the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Security Technologies, chaired by Rep. Dan Lungren (R-CA), will hold a joint hearing entitled “Iranian Cyber Threat to the U.S. Homeland” tomorrow at 10 a.m. in Room 311 Cannon House Office Building.

In January, Director of National Intelligence James Clapper testified before the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence that “Iran’s intelligence operations against the United States, including cyber capabilities, have dramatically increased in recent years in depth and complexity.” 

Tomorrow’s hearing will give Members the opportunity to examine Iran’s capability to carry out cyber attacks and the potential threat this poses to the homeland, including the threat to critical infrastructure such as nuclear power plants and the electric grid.

Lungren said: “Cyber attacks don’t recognize international borders.  We know that the current Iranian regime has the motivation to target U.S. interests. What is unclear is Iranian cyber capability.  If recent reports are accurate that Tehran is investing $1 billion to expand their cyber warfare capabilities, Iran will be a growing cyber threat to our U.S. homeland.”

Meehan said: "This hearing will examine Iran's intent and capability to conduct a cyber attack against the U.S. Homeland. Tensions between the West and Iran are increasing over Iran's illicit nuclear program, making the potential for an Iranian cyber attack against the homeland a real possibility.  Iran has invested over a billion dollars in its cyber capabilities and there are indications they have conducted cyber operations abroad.  Google Executive Chairman Eric Schmitt has stated publicly that ‘the Iranians are unusually talented in cyber war for some reason we don't fully understand.’  I look forward to learning more about this threat and how we can protect the U.S. homeland from an Iranian cyber attack."

What:                Subcommittee Hearing on Iranian Cyber Threat to the U.S. Homeland

When:                 10 a.m., Thursday, April 26, 2012

Where:                311 Cannon House Office Building

                           **Live video feed will be available HERE

Opening statements, witness testimony, and the live video feed will be available online HERE. 

Witness List:

Mr. Frank Cilluffo, Associate Vice President and Director, Homeland Security Policy Institute, George Washington University

Mr. Ilan Berman, Vice President, the American Foreign Policy Council

Mr. Roger Caslow, Executive Cyberconsultant, Suss Consulting

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