Cybersecurity
A primary concern of the federal government is to safeguard our citizens from cyber crime attacks. Today, the federal government is ill-prepared to deal with cyber attacks on our banking system, government information systems and critical infrastructure (i.e. energy, transportation, etc.). The possibility of future infiltrations into our nation’s cyber security infrastructure have had both economic and security consequences.
In an effort to address these problems, President Barack Obama recently released a Cyberspace Policy Review and will soon name a “cyber czar” to coordinate these efforts.
Additionally, on April 1, 2009 Senators Rockefeller and Snowe introduced S. 773, the Cybersecurity Act of 2009. The bill as described would provide the President unrestricted control to suspend the cyber infrastructure as he sees fit and offers no clear direction when this authority may be exercised. We expect other legislation to be introduced
However, securing cyberspace cannot succeed simply by appointing a cyber czar or issuing a new report. The Livingston Group’s newly-established Cybersecurity practice area seeks to tackle the myriad of vulnerabilities that if not addressed will adversely affect key cornerstones to our economy. Our team recognizes that the U.S. must stay one step ahead or the economy, national security and individual privacy will be in jeopardy.
The Livingston Group’s cyber security mission will focus on working with policy makers to enact strong new laws aimed at addressing this problem. Our team will engage business entities, utilities, financial institutions and educational institutions dedicated to secure cyber space.
One of TLG’s strongest facets consists of our relationships with security policy makers in Congress and the Administration. We are well positioned to help shape cyber security policy. Our team brings an extensive array of expertise to our clients, ranging from intellectual property to weapons systems and infrastructure protection. TLG brings to this effort a number of professionals with substantive knowledge and expertise in the areas of homeland security and cyber security.
Director: Geoff Gleason -- currently serves as a senior government relations executive at The Livingston Group. With twenty-five years of federal government experience, Mr. Gleason has expertise in a broad range of policy areas with concentrations in cyber security, homeland security and intellectual property. At TLG, Geoff has successfully represented several non-profits, corporations and educational institutions. Mr. Gleason is also President of Cyber Security Research Consultants LLC, which was established in 2003. On Capitol Hill, he served in many positions including that of Legislative Assistant, Legislative Director and Chief of Staff, professional staff on the House Veterans Affairs Committee and as associate staff on both the House Appropriations Committee and House Rules Committee. For nine years, Mr. Gleason served as Chief of Staff to former Congressman Jerry Solomon (NY), Chairman of the House Rules Committee. In his final position on Capitol Hill, he served as Appropriations Associate to Congressman Frank Wolf (VA), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice and Science.
TLG Team //
Honorable Dennis M. Hertel -- Dennis Hertel is a partner at The Livingston Group. He is a six-term former Democrat Member of Congress from Michigan and served on the House Armed Services Committee for 12 years. He Chaired the Investigations and Oversight Subcommittee and was Ranking Member on the Research and Development Subcommittee. In addition, Mr. Hertel was appointed as a NATO delegate. Previous to his service in Congress, Mr. Hertel was elected to three terms in the Michigan House of Representatives and was appointed chairman of the Judiciary Committee.
Stacie Walters Fujii -- joins The Livingston Group from Congressman Vic Snyder’s (D-AR) office. Ms. Fujii was a senior staffer for the Congressman and handled issues in Judiciary, Banking, Commerce, Energy, Homeland Security, Housing, Science, Social Security and Telecommunications.
James D. Hensler -- Jim Hensler has a diverse background in national security and served in the legislative arena, the private sector and the military. Mr. Hensler joined The Livingston Group team after spending six years on the professional staff of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence - first as Deputy Staff Director and then as Staff Director and Chief Counsel. Prior to his work on the Committee, he served for two years as Military Legislative Assistant to U.S. Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL). Prior to his Senate service, Mr. Hensler worked for four years as a systems analyst and legal consultant at a defense contractor providing acquisition support services to the Naval Air Systems Command and the Intelligence Community.
Richard L. Rodgers -- Richard L. Rodgers coordinated the U.S. Navy's liaison effort with Senate and House Appropriations Committees concerning the funding requirements for all Navy operations and procurement activities from 1997 to 1999. Previously as Deputy Executive Secretary for the Secretary of Defense, Mr. Rodgers facilitated the coordination of positions and agenda for the Department of Defense. During his 28 years of military service, Mr. Rodgers served in a wide variety of other leadership and command positions as a Naval Officer.
Adam Eisgrau -- Adam Eisgrau joined The Livingston Group as a leading Washington expert in intellectual property issues with more than two decades of wide-ranging experience in the private, public, and government sectors. Mr. Eisgrau began his public policy career in 1992 as a Fellow with Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ). In 1993, he became Senator Dianne Feinstein’s (D-CA) chief Judiciary Committee Counsel, advising the Senator on issues such a as intellectual property protection, privacy, data security, product liability, bankruptcy reform, and immigration. Upon leaving the Hill in 1995, Mr. Eisgrau served for four years as the first Legislative Counsel for the American Library Association. He helped shape the seminal debate as Congress and the World Intellectual Property Organization ("WIPO") wrestled with the reform of intellectual property law for the internet age.
Steven L. Kreseski -- Before joining The Livingston Group, Steven Kreseski served as Chief of Staff to Maryland Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. during three successful legislative sessions. He helped craft major policy and budgetary reforms for the State. Mr. Kreseski directed the creation of Maryland’s Office of Homeland Security working closely with federal law enforcement, the state police and military unit, as well as local subdivisions. He also was Chief of Staff and Legislative Director to then Congressman Ehrlich during which he developed significant policy expertise on the following committees: Commerce, Budget, Financial Services and Government Reform, particularly the National Security Subcommittee. Mr. Kreseski previously worked for U.S. Senator Larry Pressler (R-SD) on issues before the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee and as the Legislative Director to a national business trade association.
Dr. Anthony J. Tether -- Dr. Anthony J. “Tony” Tether brings The Livingston Group (TLG) a distinguished career and background. He will serve as a strategic advisor on initiatives related to Defense, Science and Cybersecurity. Prior to joining TLG he was the Director at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). As Director, Dr. Tether was responsible for management of the Agency's projects for high-payoff, innovative research and development. Previous to DARPA, Dr. Tether also founded The Sequoia Group (a firm that provided program management and strategy development services to government and industry), he served as Chief Executive Officer for Dynamics Technology Inc, led efforts as Vice President of the Advanced Technology Sector for SAIC (Science Applications International Corporation) and then as Vice President and General Manager for Range Systems. Dr. Tether also spent six years as Vice President for Technology and Advanced Development at Ford Aerospace Corporation. At the Department of Defense, he served as Director of National Intelligence in the Office of the Secretary of Defense.
Dr. Art Bruckheim -- Dr. Arthur “Art” Bruckheim serves The Livingston Group (TLG) as a strategic advisor on initiatives related to Defense, Science and Cybersecurity. He brings more than 30 years of experience in federal technology development Prior to teaming with TLG, he held the position as a technical advisor and key consultant to the Director at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). He worked at the agency as a Program Manager responsible for radar technology and anti-submarine warfare. As a consultant, Dr. Bruckheim led studies in Urban Warfare, Manufacturing Technology for Military Applications and Airport Security. He helped organize three DARPA Grand Challenges for Autonomous Land Vehicles and coordinate international projects with the governments of Sweden, Israel and Singapore. During his career, Dr. Bruckheim has been a Vice President at Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), where he was responsible for law enforcement programs, including a project with the government of Argentina on cargo inspection and port security technologies.