The DHS Cybersecurity Mission: Promoting Innovation and Securing Critical Infrastructure

Today, the subcommittee will examine the relationship between the Department of Homeland Security and the owners and operators of critical infrastructure. What is working well, what could be done better, and how to improve in the future. Homeland Security Presidential Directive 7, issued on December 17, 2003 outlines our National policy for Federal departments and agencies to partner with the private sector to identify and prioritize United States critical infrastructure and key resources and to protect them from terrorist attacks. The Secretary of Homeland Security was given the responsibility for ‘‘coordinating the overall National effort to enhance the protection of the critical infrastructure,’’ whether owned and operated by the public or private sector. With the private sector owning more than 80% of the Nation’s critical infrastructure, the DHS-Private Sector relationship is crucial.