STAMFORD, CT - Congressman Jim Himes (CT-4) – Ranking Member of the House Intelligence Committee’s Subcommittee on the National Security Agency and Cybersecurity – delivered the keynote address at today’s Connecticut Technology Council’s Cybersecurity Seminar at UCONN-Stamford. The seminar focused on opportunities technology companies have to protect themselves and their clients from cybercrime.

“In addition to being a pressing national security concern, cybersecurity is one of the most urgent economic issues facing our country. The cyber-attacks against Anthem, Target, Home Depot and Sony underscore the damaging consequences of cyber-attacks for the safety and security of Americans’ personal information, as well as a company’s bottom line. These attacks will continue to increase in frequency and sophistication. While there may be no way to fully prevent them, it is clear that we must update our laws to deal with these 21st century crimes. We need to ensure that government is working closely with the private sector to protect consumers from financial and economic harm of cyber incidents.

“Last week, the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence recorded a unanimous, bipartisan vote to approve the Protecting Cyber Networks Act. I am hopeful that this legislation will move Congress closer to passing a comprehensive cybersecurity bill this year. I will keep working to ensure our intelligence programs strike the right balance between protecting national security and the privacy and civil liberties of our citizens.”

Himes’ keynote address opened the cybersecurity seminar which included remarks and a panel discussion featuring leading technology experts from business, law, and law enforcement. The panel included: Rick Harris, a Partner in Day Pitney LLP’s New Haven Office where he leads the Technology, Telecommunications, and Outsourcing practice group; Matthew Lane, Vice President and Chief Information Officer of the business and information security consulting firm JANUS Associates, Inc.; and Martin McBride, Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Supervisory Special Agent assigned to lead the Cyber Squad of the FBI New Haven Field Office. The seminar was the first in a three-part cybersecurity series hosted by the Connecticut Technology Council, a statewide association of technology companies and institutions dedicated to policy advocacy, community building, and innovative assistance for growing companies.