United States Senate WASHINGTON, DC 20510 November 14, 2014 Major General Lyons ‘Acting Director, Army National Guard 111 S. George Mason Drive Aslington, VA 22204 Dear Major General Lyons: ‘We are writing to offer our strongest support for the combined New York and New Jersey Army National Guard in theie bid to form a multi-state Cyber Protection Team. National and international eyber threats are ‘growing in severity and frequency and the Army National Guard has a unique and critical role to play in responding to these threats and securing the nation’s cyber networks. These two organizations have positioned themselves well for success, leveraging the dual-nature of today’s citizen soldiers by taking, advantage of New York and New Jersey’s booming information technology sector coxporations. They are fully capable of filing the team’s challenging personnel requirements, have access to existing secure infrastructare, and can leverage their extensive experience collaborating on homeland secusity operations and ‘emergency preparedness training to quickly build a successful team. ‘The New York-New Jersey Metropolitan Arca has long been a primary target of our adversaries around the ‘world, With the cyber world influencing many aspects of our economy and national security, we must be prepared to deter the growing threat to eyber networks in America’s financial hub. Increasing resources and protection in the bi-state area not only decreases financial threat domestically, but also internationally. While both of our states have implemented significant information security measures across a variety of agencies, this Cyber Protection Team would integeate the Army National Guaed as a eyber-resource capable of responding to threats anywhere in either state Accordingly, we strongly urge you to accept the nomination of this Cyber Protection ‘Team and allow the New York and New Jersey Army National Guard to immediately begin preparations to activate a team. These organizations have demonsteated their importance to the citizens of both of our states during recent catastrophic events, including Hurricane Sandy, and also to our country with their service overseas. It is critical that they be allowed to continue their exemplary service in the cyber realm in the bi-state area where this relentless threat will only grow more costly Charles E, Schumer United States Senator Kirsten Gillibrand United States Senator Cory Booker United States Senator