Cybersecurity Caucus

Cybersecurity Header Image

Overview:

In June 2016, Senator Warner joined Senator Cory Gardner in establishing the Senate Cybersecurity Caucus.  In our increasingly interconnected and digitized society, cybersecurity has become one of the most pressing challenges confronting both our continued economic prosperity and national security.  Cybercrime has affected hundreds of millions of Americans and American businesses, costing at least $120 billion in economic and intellectual property loss in the United States.  The threat posed by cyber-attacks demands an agile and broad policy response.  The Senate has taken this issue seriously, holding more than 20 hearing across nine committees in the 114th Congress alone.  Cybersecurity is not a sector-specific issue, however.  It is a systemic threat that requires an equally systemic understanding and response.

This new caucus will serve as a platform for the Senate to engage in a holistic discussion about cybersecurity and to keep Senators and staff abreast of new developments in this wide-ranging issue area.  It will focus on various cybersecurity challenges, including impacts on national security, the economy, and digital security.

Please refer to this website for updates on caucus events and as a resource for information on how the United States Senate is addressing the cyber threat.

For any questions about the caucus, please contact Senator Mark Warner’s office at 202-224-2023.

Members:

Senator Mark Warner (D-VA)

Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO)

Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA)

Senator Thad Cochran (R-MS)

Senator Angus King (I-ME)

Senator Gary Peters (D-MI)

Senator Chris Coons (D-DE)

Senator Johnny Isakson (R-GA)

Senator Michael Bennett (D-CO)

Senator Mike Rounds (R-SD)

Senator John Thune (R-SD)

Senator Ed Markey (D-MA)

Senator Tom Carper (D-DE)

Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO)

Senator David Perdue (R-GA)

Senator John Boozman (R-AR)

Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR)

FAQs:

What is the specific focus of the caucus?

The caucus will seek to address the full spectrum of issues related to cybersecurity in a bipartisan, holistic manner.  The intent is not to direct the conversation in service of a specific agenda.  

The Caucus will examine such questions as: 

  • What responses are appropriate for cyber-attacks by state and non-state actors?
  • How do we effectively organize the federal government and what types of authorities do our federal agencies need to support cybersecurity, especially for critical infrastructure?
  • How do we effectively deter cyber criminals?
  • How do we create policies that enable better cooperation between the federal government and our financial, retail and other sectors to combat cybercrime and cyber-attacks?
  • What can we do to make consumers smarter purchasers of secure technologies?
  • How do we incentivize technology and digital product creators to build security into their products?
  • How can we ensure the federal government can efficiently and effectively leverage new technology and procedures being developed in the private sector?
  • How can the federal government best recruit and retain top cyber talent?

How will the caucus work with the House of Representatives Cybersecurity Caucus led by Congressman Jim Langevin (RI-D) and Congressman Mike McCaul (R-TX)?

This new cybersecurity caucus will be open only to Senators and their staff and will focus on Senate efforts to address cyber issues.  However, it will seek to coordinate and co-sponsor events and approaches, where possible, with its counterpart caucus on the House side.   

How frequently will the Caucus meet?  What types of events will be held?

The caucus will seek to hold events for Senators on a regular basis multiple times a year.  Events at the staffer level should occur more frequently.

Events will include but not be limited to briefings, workshops, demonstrations, and tours of local cyber facilities.

Will Caucus events be open to the public?

Although most Caucus events will be private or invite-only in nature, the Caucus co-chairs will explore opportunities to include the general public.  Please refer back to this web page for further information on such events.

Additional Resources/Links:

White House Resources

DoD Resources

DHS Resources

FBI Resources

Legislative Branch

Commonwealth of Virginia Cyber Resources