Honoring SIA Legislators of the Year

At the SIA Government Summit last week, the Security Industry Association (SIA) recognized three Members of Congress as SIA Legislators of the Year for their tireless devotion to security matters.

The SIA Legislator of the Year Award is presented annually to Members of Congress and other elected officials that have demonstrated extraordinary leadership in advancing legislation and policies that encourage the effective use of technology solutions to enhance public safety and security and to protect critical infrastructure.

SIA recognized the following legislators at a welcome reception for them:

• Rep. John Ratcliffe, R-Texas, Chairman of the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection and Security Technologies
• Rep. Susan Brooks, R-Ind., Co-chair of the Congressional School Safety Caucus
•  Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Wash., Co-chair of the Congressional School Safety Caucus

Rep. Ratcliffe received recognition as a SIA Legislator of the Year for his efforts in cybersecurity, including the championship of legislation to reform the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology wing, to empower the DHS EINSTEIN cybersecurity program, and to improve collaboration between the public and private sectors on cybersecurity efforts generally.

Reps. Brooks and Larsen received the honor for their support of H.R. 2667, the School Safety Act, which would assist schools in implementing critical school safety and security measures that protect students, faculty, administrators and parents as well as founding the School Safety Caucus, which raises awareness of school safety and security issues.

“The security industry has no finer allies on Capitol Hill than Representatives John Ratcliffe, Susan Brooks and Rick Larsen,” said Jake Parker, SIA director of government relations. “The Security Industry Association will continue to serve as a resource to these Members of Congress as they fight to improve cybersecurity and school safety and security for the entire nation.”

“I’m humbled to be recognized by the Security Industry Association for my legislative efforts focused on protecting Americans from rapidly evolving cyber threats. After all, cybersecurity is national security, and I’m committed to continuing my leading role on this important issue,” said Rep. Ratcliffe.

“Keeping our schools safe takes all of us, and our children and students of all ages deserve a quality education in a safe environment,” Rep. Brooks said. “I’m grateful for the partnership and leadership of the Security Industry Association in helping to improve security, not only for students, but for all Americans. We all have to work together to craft solutions that meet the challenges posed by our increasingly digital and mobile world and to protect and ensure the safety of our nation.”

“I appreciate the Security Industry Association’s support for school safety. The School Safety Caucus is a forum to look at the best ways for schools to approach their safety needs, and the School Safety Act of 2015 aims to boost security in our schools and communities. Congress must do more to make our schools safer, shrink the cycle of violence and empower schools to focus on what they do best: teaching our students and preparing them for their futures,” said Rep. Larsen.

SIA will continue to education and empower its members and the public with its newly established SIA Cybersecurity Advisory Board, and it will support common-sense solutions that empower local schools with increased capability and flexibility to keep their students safe and secure through its Partner Alliance for Safer Schools and other initiatives.