Neustar, a recognized leader in Internet and telecom infrastructure and security solutions, today announced its proud support for the Intelligence Squared U.S. (IQ2US) debate “The Cyber War Threat Has Been Grossly Exaggerated” on June 8 at the Newseum. The popular Oxford-style debate series is based in New York City, and Neustar’s underwriting makes possible this first IQ2US debate in Washington, D.C.

Intelligence Squared U.S. brings together experts and audience around public policy and cultural issues. Recent debates have included “Obama’s Economic Policies are Working Effectively,” which featured former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer arguing against the proposition, and “Bush 43 Is the Worst President of the Last 50 Years,” which included Karl Rove among its panelists.

“From breaking news stories about state-sponsored hacking to the popularity of bestselling books like Richard Clarke’s Cyber War, this topic has never been more timely or uncertain,” said Jeff Ganek, CEO of Neustar. “Any discussion of a critical topic like the security of the Internet is important to Neustar because of the role we play in providing essential infrastructure services. This debate presents a terrific opportunity for us all to further our understanding about our nation’s cybersecurity needs. With something as evolving and complex as the Internet, there is no one or simple answer, so an ongoing intelligent discussion is critical.”

Four of the country’s leading cybersecurity experts will debate in front of a live audience at the Newseum on Pennsylvania Avenue, just blocks from the U.S. Capitol on June 8. Marc Rotenberg, Executive Director of the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC), and Bruce Schneier, internationally renowned security author, will debate in favor of the proposition. Vice Admiral (ret.) Mike McConnell, former Director of National Intelligence from 2007-2009, and Jonathan Zittrain, Professor of Law at Harvard Law School and co-founder of the Berkman Center for Internet & Society, will take the opposing view.

Robert Rosenkranz, the founder of Intelligence Squared U.S., said, “When fundamental questions of national preparedness and civil liberties are at stake, we cannot leave the answers to those who shout the loudest. Clearly, the seriousness of this issue demands that we drop inflammatory rhetoric in favor of a thoughtful public conversation. With Neustar’s support, that is what we plan to do on June 8 in Washington.”

Tickets for the live studio audience are selling briskly and are available at www.intelligencesquaredus.org. For those unable to attend the live event, there will be multiple opportunities to experience the debate through an international broadcast on Bloomberg Television beginning on June 14 and a national broadcast on over 220 local NPR stations. Newsweek, Intelligence Squared U.S.‘s print and online media partner, will also feature coverage of this special debate in its magazine and on www.newsweek.com.

John Donvan, correspondent for ABC News Nightline, is moderator of the Intelligence Squared U.S. debates. Dana Wolfe is the executive producer.

About Intelligence Squared U.S.
Launched in September 2006, the goal of Intelligence Squared U.S., an initiative of the Rosenkranz Foundation, is to raise the level of public discourse and promote a realization that, on contentious issues, those who challenge the conventional wisdom have intellectually respectable and often persuasive viewpoints. We encourage citizens to “Think Twice” about their opinions and participate in the conversation, and we provide a forum for balanced discussion that transcends emotion and ideology.  Through an annual series of 10 live Oxford-style debates, IQ2US brings together experts and audience around public policy and cultural issues. In fact, the live audience participates in each debate by voting on the propositions at the top and bottom of the debate evening.