WASHINGTON, D.C. – Science Committee Chairman Sherwood Boehlert (R-NY) will convene a hearing tomorrow to review efforts by academia, industry and government to meet the nation’s need for a well-educated, well-trained cybersecurity workforce.

The Committee will hear testimony from the directors of what are viewed as some of the most successful cybersecurity education programs in the country, as well as from a student who has been through one of the new programs. All of the programs have received some of their support from the federal government.

In December 2002, the President signed into law the Cybersecurity Research and Development Act, which originated in the Science Committee and focuses federal efforts on advancing research, education, and training related to cybersecurity. Tomorrow’s hearing will examine collaborative efforts among academia, industry and government, review strengths and weaknesses of existing cybersecurity education programs, and identify emerging challenges in meeting the nation’s needs for a well-trained cybersecurity workforce.

Wednesday, July 21, 2004
Full Science Committee – Hearing
Cybersecurity Education – Meeting the Needs of Technology Workers and Employers
10:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M.
2318 Rayburn House Office Building (WEBCAST)

WITNESSES

Mr. Chet Hosmer is the President & CEO of WetStone Technologies, Inc. of Cortland, New York. Mr. Hosmer has more than 25 years experience in developing high technology software and, for the past 15 years, has focused on information security technologies. He has taught Network Security and Cyber-Crime and Computer Forensic courses at Utica College of Syracuse University and he is the Research Advisor for the Computer Forensics Research and Development Center of Utica College. Mr. Hosmer also is co-chair of the Electronic Crime and Terrorism Partnership Initiative’s Technology Working Group at the National Institute of Justice.

Mr. John Baker is the Director of Technology Programs for the Division of Undergraduate Education of the School of Professional Studies in Business and Education at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. He has more than 20 years experience in the technology field with extensive experience in systems design, development, implementation, and management for various organizations, including the World Bank, Coopers & Lybrand and Lockheed Martin.

Mr. Erich Spengler is the Principal Investigator for the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Advanced Technology Education Regional Center for the Advancement of Systems Security and Information Assurance at Moraine Valley Community College in Palos Hills, Illinois. Mr. Spengler has an extensive background in information technology security and data assurance, he holds several major industry certifications, and he has broad background in design and infrastructure implementation. He has also served as a full-time faculty member at Moraine Valley Community College for the past eight years.

Second Lieutenant David Aparicio is a developmental electrical engineer for the Air Force Research Laboratory Information Directorate in Rome, New York where he supports the research and development of tools for multi-sensor exploitation and communication intelligence. He earned his bachelor of science in electrical and computer engineering at Baylor University and he received his Air Force Commission as a Blue Chip graduate of the Baylor ROTC program in 2003. Lt. Aparacio is also a graduate and the valedictorian of the Advanced Course in Engineering Cybersecurity Boot Camp, where he gained an appreciation for the challenges of cybersecurity.

Ms. Sydney Rogers is the Principal Investigator for NSF’s Advanced Technology Education Regional Center for Information Technology at Nashville State Community College in Nashville, Tennessee. Ms. Rogers is also the Vice President for Community and Economic Development at the community college and her responsibilities include workforce development, computer services and distance education. She has more than 30 years of experience in technological education and workforce development.

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