Cyber Review May Urge White House Control
The Obama administration's 60-day review of the federal cybersecurity posture will likely conclude that a comprehensive strategy for protecting the government's IT assets and critical infrastructure from high-tech attacks should be run by the White House, Rep. Jim Langevin, D-R.I., told reporters Thursday. The review being conducted by Melissa Hathaway, a senior adviser to former Director of National Intelligence Mike McConnell, is more than halfway complete. Recent studies have recommended that oversight authority be housed in the Executive Office of the President rather than the Homeland Security Department or the National Security Agency. "I expect that cybersecurity as we go forward will look very much like our counter-proliferation program," said Langevin, who co-chairs the House Cybersecurity Caucus.
On the campaign trail, Obama promised to create a cyber czar post in the White House and Hathaway is the heir apparent. "I'm very impressed with the due diligence she's exercising in putting together the team and reaching out to outside groups and experts," Langevin said of Hathaway, who was on Capitol Hill for an event to reconstitute the caucus for the 111th Congress. Rep. Yvette Clarke, D-N.Y., who replaced Langevin as chair of the House Homeland Security Emerging Threats Subcommittee this session, emphasized the enormity of Hathaway's task. She pointed out that there are 42 different departments and agencies involved. "Every new [technological] advance we have creates new vulnerabilities and our responsibility is to have oversight over each and every area," Clarke said.
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