SIA Director to Testify Before Congress

Jake Parker, director of government relations at the Security Industry Association (SIA), will appear as a witness at a House Homeland Security Committee hearing, “Examining DHS Science and Technology Directorate’s Engagement with Academia and Industry,” chaired by Rep. John Ratcliffe, R-Texas, at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, May 19.

The Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection and Security Technologies called the hearing to seek perspectives on how the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology (S&T) Directorate collaborates with academia and private companies on relevant research topics and how it partners with industry on the development and acquisition of products for DHS component agencies. The hearing will convene in Room 311 of the Cannon House Office Building.

“For the past few years, the Security Industry Association has fostered a strong partnership with the DHS Science and Technology Directorate to serve as the voice of the security industry into federal homeland security research and development processes,” Parker said. “SIA members highly value the receptiveness of DHS S&T to collaborate with industry, and we have some perspectives from our members as to how that collaboration can to continue to improve and evolve. SIA looks forward to a constructive conversation with the agency and with Congress on the mutual benefits of utilizing private sector expertise to enhance homeland security.”

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