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  Ruppersberger - Ormond chat

  Maryland's 2d District Congressman, U.S. Rep. C.A. "Dutch" Ruppersberger, left, shares a morning chat over coffee with RDECOM Director Dale Ormond. The two discussed the growing need for a robust defense against cyber attacks from foreign adversaries.

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  Ormond - Ruppersberger

  RDECOM Director Dale Ormond, left, made an office call to chat with Maryland Congressman Rep. C.A. "Dutch" Ruppersberger July 2.

TIMONIUM, Md. -- The U.S. military needs to concentrate on developing a robust defense system against cyber attacks from foreign adversaries, U.S. Rep. C.A. "Dutch" Ruppersberger said to a senior U.S. Army leader July 2.

Dale Ormond, director of the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command at Aberdeen Proving Ground, said his communications and electronics researchers are focused on defending America against cyber threats.

"Our Communications--Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center does a lot research associated with the cyber community," Ormond said. "We are right in the middle of it.

"We run a number of special access programs, all dealing with developing cyber tools. We are very much engaged with the [National Security Agency], Army Cyber Command, and [U.S. Cyber Command]."

Ruppersberger represents Maryland's 2nd Congressional District and is the ranking member of the U.S. House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence which oversees the collection and analysis of intelligence from around the world to ensure national security and prevent terrorist activity. He also served on the House Armed Services Committee until June 26.

The 2nd Congressional District encompasses two of the state's three Army installations -- APG and Fort Meade, which houses the NSA and CYBERCOM.

Ruppersberger, currently serving his fifth term in the House, reiterated the potentially serious damage posed by a cyber attack against the U.S. military, government and businesses. He urges senior military leaders to understand the associated risks.

"My district is considered the cyber capital of the world," Ruppersberger said. "There are more cyber jobs here than anyplace in the world. In 10 years we could have more tech jobs than Silicon Valley.

"In our corridor between Fort Meade, NSA and Aberdeen Proving Ground, we have an opportunity to be the leaders for the future."