Thursday
Nov122009
U.S. Needs To Bolster Cybersecurity, Says Former Homeland Security Official
Thursday, November 12, 2009 at 12:05PM
Travis Martinez, University of New Mexico-Talk Radio News Service
Former Homeland Security Council Chairman Frances Fragos Townsend Thursday examined national security threats that continue to challenge the U.S. government, particularly in the arena of cybersecurity.
“We need the personnel we have inside the U.S. government with technical backgrounds in intelligence agencies who will be collectors who know how to ask the right questions,” said Townsend during a key-note address at the Heritage Foundation.
Townsend said that one of her last tasks as council chair was a $17 billion push for enhanced cyber security. However, Townsend explained that while the funds are now available, hiring new personnel will pose an obstacle since the U.S. will be drawing from a pool of employees who have experience in the private sector and could thus come to the jobs with conflicting interests.
Townsend also called for technical advancement in the analysis of security risks posed by weapons of mass destruction, either by a state or non-state actors. One of these risks, according to Townsend, is detecting those responsible.
“There has to be a degree of certainty on who you’re going to respond to,” said Townsend.
Former Homeland Security Council Chairman Frances Fragos Townsend Thursday examined national security threats that continue to challenge the U.S. government, particularly in the arena of cybersecurity.
“We need the personnel we have inside the U.S. government with technical backgrounds in intelligence agencies who will be collectors who know how to ask the right questions,” said Townsend during a key-note address at the Heritage Foundation.
Townsend said that one of her last tasks as council chair was a $17 billion push for enhanced cyber security. However, Townsend explained that while the funds are now available, hiring new personnel will pose an obstacle since the U.S. will be drawing from a pool of employees who have experience in the private sector and could thus come to the jobs with conflicting interests.
Townsend also called for technical advancement in the analysis of security risks posed by weapons of mass destruction, either by a state or non-state actors. One of these risks, according to Townsend, is detecting those responsible.
“There has to be a degree of certainty on who you’re going to respond to,” said Townsend.
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