By Calvin Biesecker
Responding to a request by Senate leaders seeking help with cyber security legislation, the White House yesterday sent to Congress its proposal, which among other things would give the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) authorities to better carry out its roles in cyber security within the federal civilian government and with state and local governments and the private sector.
The proposal also gives DHS permanent authority to oversee intrusion prevention systems for all federal civilian computers.
“Since our federal systems are under constant pressure by hackers, criminals and other threats, the government needs better tools to detect and prevent those threats,” Howard Schmidt, the White House Cybersecurity Coordinator, said on the White House blog yesterday. “This proposal allows the DHS to implement intrusion detection and prevention systems that can help speed our response to these incidents.”
The White House proposes legislative changes for DHS to more easily be able to help industry, states and local governments in responding to a cyber attack and also seeks to boost information sharing between these organizations and the department by giving them immunity when sharing cyber security information with DHS.
The Obama administration also requires DHS to conduct its cyber security program within a new framework for meeting privacy and civil liberties requirements.
Amid a rising tide of pending congressional bills related to cyber security, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and six Senate Committee chairs asked the White House for their proposals for cyber security legislation.
At least several senators welcomed the White House announcement.
Senators Joseph Lieberman (I/D-Conn.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine), chairman and ranking member, respectively, of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and Tom Carper (D-Del.), a committee member, agreed with the need for DHS to lead the cyber security effort on behalf of the federal civilian government.
However, Rep. Jim Langevin (D-R.I.), ranking member of the House Armed Services Emerging Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee who keeps a critical eye on cyber security issues, said in a statement that he applauds the White House proposals but said they fall short of the need to create “a single person with the right authority to working to coordinate our efforts.” He also said the proposals lack a “comprehensive plan to address and prepare for attacks.”