Senators Propose ‘Gold Standard’ for Cybersecurity

In an op-ed for The Washington Post, Sens. Joe Lieberman, Susan Collins and Tom Carper propose a “gold standard” in cybersecurity to help protect networks and computers from hackers and potentially, a “digital Pearl Harbor.”

The proposal would grant the Department of Homeland Security statutory authority to work with the private sector to identify…

DHS to Recruit 140 Cyber Warriors to Defend US Networks, Systems

The Department of Homeland Security is planning to amp up its cybersecurity workforce by more than 50 percent in efforts to spearhead governmentwide efforts to secure federal networks against cyber attacks as detailed in the Obama administration’s recent cybersecurity proposal.

Testifying before a Senate committee on Monday, Phillip Reitinger, deputy undersecretary of the…

Regulatory Watchdog: Will FISMA Standards be Extended to Industry to Avoid Financial Cyber Attack?

As the National Institute of Standards and Technology makes headway in preparing standards required by FISMA, a regulatory watchdog in the District is expressing concerns both about the increasing  burden on industry and  whether FISMA standards will include the private sector in thwarting a financial cyber attack.

The Center for Regulatory Effectiveness, founded and managed by…

Internet Kill Switch Possible?

The Egyptian government’s multiday deactivation of the Internet, in the wake of the turmoil in the country, have raised concerns and questions about whether the U.S. government could block Internet access by implementing a “kill switch” to protect the country in the event of a cyber emergency.

Last summer, Sen. Joe Lieberman introduced the …

Cyber Bill Clears Committee

The Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee has unanimously approved a comprehensive cybersecurity bill yesterday.

The Protecting Cyberspace as a National Asset Act of 2010, S.3480, submitted by Sens. Joe Lieberman, Susan Collins and Tom Carper, would create a new cyber center within the Department of Homeland Security and create a White House Office of Cyberspace Policy…

McAfee Officials: Government Must Be Careful Not to Stifle Innovation

Last Friday, McAfee officials expressed their praise for the recently proposed cyber bill but voiced reservations over the bill’s possible impact to private sector innovation.

The bill, which was introduced by Sens. Joe Lieberman, Susan Collins and Tom Carper, looks to provide DHS with the power to dictate cybersecurity requirements to private sector companies, which is troubling, McAfee…

INSA Chairwoman: Partnership is the Way Forward

In order to move froward with securing the nation’s networks, the government and private sectors must work together, Frances Townsend, Chairwoman of the Intelligence and National Security Alliance (INSA) board, told members of the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee during a hearing June 15.

During a hearing to discuss the Protecting Cyberspace as a National Asset…

Gourley: Intelligence Community Should Provide Unclassified Cyber Threat Assessments Annually

Last week, Sens. Joe Lieberman, Susan Collins and Tom Carper unveiled the Protecting Cyberspace as a National Asset Act of 2010, S.3480. The bill will create a permanent Office of Cyber Policy in the White House and form a give the Department of Homeland Security the power to enforce cyber…

Lieberman and Collins Unveil Cyber Bill

Sen. Joe Lieberman (ID-Conn) and Sen. Susan Collins (R-Me) unveiled a new cybersecurity bill yesterday along with Federal Financial Management Subcommittee Chairman Tom Carper (D-De). The legislation looks to strengthen, modernize and coordinate federal civilian networks and select private sector networks that are part of the critical infrastructure.

The Protecting Cyberspace as a National Asset Act of 2010, S.3480, would…

Competing Proposals for Cyber Coordinator

Last Friday, Sen. Joe Lieberman, chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, outlined the key principles he hopes to include in legislation put forward with Susan Collins on cybersecurity, including a Senate-confirmed cyber coordinator positioned in the White House.

On Monday, Senator Susan Collins spoke before the Homeland Security Policy Institute at GWU and outlined her view that the cyber coordinator position should be…