DSU hosts U.S. Senate cybersecurity field hearing

U.S. Senator John Thune (R-SD) held a full committee field hearing titled “Confronting the Challenge of Cybersecurity” September 3 at Dakota State University in Madison. Thune is chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, and said the hearing at DSU allowed the policymakers an opportunity to listen to cyber experts and “better understand the challenge of protecting individuals, businesses and critical infrastructure throughout our nation.”

Approximately 20 percent of students at DSU are involved in its cybersecurity programs and the curriculum has received national attention. DSU’s Cyber Operations Program is recognized by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security as a National Center of Academic Excellence, holding education, research and cyber operations designations – one of the first universities in the nation to hold all three prestigious designations.

“As our nation continues to confront and guard against dangers in cyberspace, experts in South Dakota have experience and insight to inform federal policymaking,” Thune said.

Witnesses at the hearing included:

• Dr. Josh Pauli, professor of cybersecurity and NSF SFS CyberCorps Program director, DSU
• Dr. Kevin Streff, department chair, cyber operations and security, DSU; founder and managing partner, Secure Banking Solutions, LLC
• Mark Shlanta, CEO, SDN Communications
• Eric Pulse, director of risk advisory services, Eide Bailly
• Jeremy Epstein, lead program director, Secure and Trustworthy Cyberspace (SaTC) program, National Science Foundation
• Kevin Stine, manager, Security Outreach and Integration Group, Information Technology Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology

Witness testimony, opening statements and video of the hearing are available HERE.

Cybersecurity continues to be an issue of primary importance across the United States. Heartland recently took steps to help our customers protect valuable data by partnering with Helix Security to launch a cybersecurity initiative. Dr. Pauli, who spoke at the Senate hearing, also works for Helix and is one of the individuals Heartland has been working closely with to develop the program, which will provide customers a cost share for implementing Helix Security services.

Picture courtesy Dakota State University.