Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee

Chairwoman Loretta Sanchez

Hearing on Harnessing Small Business

Innovation for National Security Cyber Needs

“Good afternoon.  I would like to welcome you all and thank you for joining us here today.  As Congress looks to develop a comprehensive approach to cybersecurity, we will need the perspectives of our private sector, especially our small businesses.

“I am particularly excited about today’s hearing as we were able to bring in small business representatives to discuss their views and gain their inputs to better securing our information systems.  Their ability to innovate and create new technologies will be vital in order to successfully protect our information systems.

“Today, the subcommittee is looking to discuss three main objectives for this hearing: 

·         The small business’ view of the cyber challenges facing us today;

·         The technologies your businesses along with others are pursuing to address these needs;

·         And to also identify systemic barriers for small businesses entering this marketplace.

“The purpose of this hearing is for Members of this Subcommittee to further develop greater cyberspace expertise and awareness, but to also have an open discussion of how Congress can address certain barriers small businesses face while trying to work with the government.

“As our country works hard to improve our economy, I believe expanding opportunities for our small businesses is imperative.  Small businesses are a vital component of our economy and leader of innovation.  For example, small businesses represent 99.7 percent of all employer firms, and employ half of all private sector employees.

“Small businesses have also generated 60 to 80 percent of net new jobs annually over the last decade.  That truly makes American small businesses the engine of innovation for the nation.

“As this country responds to and develops ways to face the growing challenges of cyber operations, small businesses will play a critical role in the technologies that are implemented.  That means that Congress needs to have a better understanding of the role small business will play in our national response to cyber threats, including the potential implications for new and proposed legislation and policies.

“In addition to understanding challenges small businesses may face in working with the DOD, we also need to have a better understanding of the tools available to us for promoting small business research and development, such as the Small Business Innovative Research program.

“I hope the witnesses will provide the subcommittee with a technical look at cybersecurity and what technology and resources are available to further protect our DOD systems.

“Today, we have three witnesses before us:

·         Mr. John Ricketson.  Mr. Ricketson is the Chief Executive Officer of Dejavu Technologies, Inc.;

·         Mr. Roger Thornton, the Founder and Chief Technology Officer of Fortify Software; and

·         Mr. Richard Lee, an independent consultant, who just came out of the government sector

“Once again I would like to thank all of our witnesses for being here today and I look forward to hearing your testimonies. Without objection, we will accept your written statements as part of the official record. I’d also like to remind the witnesses that we’d like for you to briefly sum up your statements, and we will be observing the five minute rule for questions from the members.

“I will now yield to the Ranking Member from Florida, Mr. Miller, for his opening statement.  Thank you.”

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