WASHINGTON, D.C…. The Information Technology Industry Council (ITI), the leading technology sector trade association, on Thursday applauded the House of Representatives for its bipartisan approval of the Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act (CISPA).  ITI released this statement from Dean Garfield, president and CEO.

“The technology sector appreciates the hard work that went into bipartisan House approval of the Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act (CISPA) – the first in a package of cybersecurity bills expected to pass the House this week.  Members of the House, their staffs, security specialists, privacy experts, technology companies, and other private-sector groups all came together on an issue vital to our national security and economic vitality.  These bills required collaborative approaches, a willingness to find common ground, and a commitment to the safety and security of the American people.  Without question, the path to the House vote wasn’t an easy one.  But, at the end of the day, we have legislation that would markedly improve our country’s cyber defenses and enhance our citizens’ safety.

“Cybersecurity is personal security.  Personal information – names, addresses, Social Security numbers, credit card info, and so on – represented 95 percent of all the data compromised by cyber intrusion last year.  Every second, 14 adults fall victim to cybercrime.  These bills, and especially CISPA, would help to create a fast, flexible, forward-thinking cybersecurity defense that is prepared to meet the threats we face. 

“As the cybersecurity discussion turns toward the Senate, the technology sector stands ready to continue to work with the Administration, Senators on both sides of the aisle, privacy groups, and other stakeholders.  We want to help shape a national, collaborative strategy to protect individuals and the country from cyber threats.”

About ITI

The Information Technology Industry Council (ITI) is the premier voice, advocate, and thought leader for the information and communications technology industry.  ITI is widely recognized as the tech industry’s most effective advocacy organization in Washington, D.C., and in capitals and key markets around the world.  Our members are leaders in the top tier of the innovation sector in the United States and around the globe, and include ten of the world’s 50 largest companies, and ten percent of both the Fortune 50 and Fortune 100 companies.