POLISCOPE
Back to feed
FEDERALhearing transcript

Joint Hearing on Cyber Cooperation Between the Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security

Original title: [H.A.S.C. No. 115-121]INTERAGENCY CYBER COOPERATION:ROLES, RESPONSIBILITIES ANDAUTHORITIES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AND THE DEPARTMENTOF HOMELAND SECURITY

January 1, 2019

Track this bill to get notified when it advances a stage. One tap to stop, anytime.

The Frame

What this does

This hearing established the formal oversight record for how the U.S. government divides cyber defense responsibilities between military and civilian agencies, which dictates which federal entity is responsible for responding to specific types of cyber threats against the nation.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

Department of Defense

The agency's operational authorities and coordination protocols with civilian partners were the subject of congressional review.

Department of Homeland Security

The agency's role in protecting civilian infrastructure and coordinating with the military was the subject of congressional review.

What changed

Last recorded activity January 1, 2019.

What's next

Next step not available in the current record.

Summary

This document is a transcript of a 2018 joint congressional hearing held to examine how the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) coordinate their cyber roles, responsibilities, and authorities. The hearing featured testimony from senior officials regarding the division of labor and collaborative efforts between the two agencies in protecting national cyber infrastructure.

Key Facts

  • The hearing was held on November 14, 2018, in the Rayburn House Office Building.
  • The session was a joint meeting between the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities and the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection.
  • The primary objective was to clarify the distinct roles, responsibilities, and legal authorities of the DOD and DHS in the cyber domain.
  • Witnesses included senior leadership from the DHS Office of Cybersecurity and Communications, the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Global Security, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
  • The hearing record includes prepared statements from committee members and witnesses, as well as post-hearing responses to questions submitted by members of Congress.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did the DOD and DHS hold a joint hearing on cyber cooperation?
The hearing was held to ensure that the two departments have clearly defined roles and authorities to prevent gaps or overlaps in national cyber defense efforts.
Who testified at this hearing?
Testimony was provided by Jeanette Manfra (DHS), Kenneth Rapuano (DOD), and Lt. Gen. Bradford J. Shwedo (Joint Chiefs of Staff).

Why It Matters

This hearing established the formal oversight record for how the U.S. government divides cyber defense responsibilities between military and civilian agencies, which dictates which federal entity is responsible for responding to specific types of cyber threats against the nation.

News Coverage

No news coverage found yet. Articles are indexed twice daily.

Sponsors

Discoveries

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift90% confidence

Formalization of Cyber Roles

The hearing highlights a 2018 effort to formalize the boundary between military and civilian cyber defense responsibilities.

Connected Entities

personBradford J. ShwedoLt Gen, USAF, Director for Command, Control, Communications and Computers/CyberMap →
personJohn RatcliffeChairman of the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and Infrastructure ProtectionMap →
personKenneth RapuanoAssistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Global SecurityMap →
personElise M. StefanikChairwoman of the Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and CapabilitiesMap →
personJeanette ManfraAssistant Secretary, Office of Cybersecurity and Communications, DHSMap →

Sources

Open source document

www.govinfo.gov

Analysis Score

0–100
  • Significance65
    How much this matters to a regular citizen
  • Controversy20
    Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
  • Entertainment5
    Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
  • Buzz10
    Current news / social attention level

Publisher tools

Share or embed this record

POLISCOPE publisher tools

Share or embed this record