Cisco and Oracle Support Cybersecurity Bill that Promotes Voluntary Industry-led Approach

Cisco and Oracle today announced their support for S. 1353, the Cybersecurity Act of 2013, sponsored by the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce Committee, Senators Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) and John Thune (R-SD).

In a letter of support, Cisco’s VP of Global Government Affairs,  Michael Timmeny, and Oracle’s VP of Government Affairs, Jason Mahler wrote:

“We appreciate the leadership you have shown to find solutions for the cybersecurity
issue, and in introducing S. 1353, the Cybersecurity Act of 2013. Your thoughtful,
bipartisan legislation is a significant step in developing the meaningful publicprivate
partnerships that are necessary to secure cyberspace.

Cisco and Oracle strongly support S.1353 and the voluntary, industry-led approach
you have taken. The legislation incorporates concepts that are important in the U.S.
and globally: a voluntary approach based on technology neutrality and innovation; a
focus on industry-led best practices, using the existing foundation and expertise of
the innovation-oriented National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST); the
protection of privacy; preventing conflicts with, and duplication of, existing
regulatory processes or requirements; and a considered focus on increased research
and development, education, workforce development, and cybersecurity awareness.

As leading information technology companies, Cisco and Oracle are squarely focused
on driving innovation and security into networks and systems. We appreciate your
sensitivity to the importance of technological innovation globally. Ultimately,
innovation will provide the best defense against cyber incidents and data breaches.

We thank you for your outreach as you considered a path forward, and we look forward
to working with you and others in Congress on this critical issue.”