Amendment to use foreign language and culture when developing plans to guard against cyber attacks received bipartisan support

Washington, DC – The House of Representatives today passed with bipartisan support, Congressman Sam Farr’s (D-Carmel) amendment to H.R. 5743, the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013, encouraging the intelligence community to consider foreign language and culture during the development of plans to protect against foreign cyber attacks.  The amendment directs department heads to invest in tools and training using foreign language and culture so their cyber analysts can better understand the plans and intentions of foreign attackers.

“When guarding against cyber attacks from foreign actors, our intelligence community often forgets that it is not all computer work, that there is a human element attached to all of those 1’s and 0’s,” said Congressman Sam Farr.  “My amendment reminds the department heads to utilize foreign language skills and cultural knowledge to fully understand the motives behind those cyber attacks. This knowledge is essential because it helps us not only understand the behavior of our potential adversaries but also aide us in the development of any potential allies.”

##