[ISN] Critics argue against a White House security lead

http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&taxonomyName=security&articleId=338701

By Jaikumar Vijayan
May 4, 2009 
Computerworld

Critics raised questions last week about the growing chorus of calls for 
the White House to play a leading role in coordinating cybersecurity 
efforts involving the federal government and key private-sector 
industries.

For instance, Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), the ranking Republican on 
the Senate Committee on Homeland Security, said at a hearing on 
cybersecurity strategies that putting the White House in charge would 
make it harder for Congress to oversee policies and budgets.

The president rightly should be responsible for "declaring [cyber] war," 
with input from Congress, Collins said. But for overall cybersecurity 
leadership, she suggested that the government use as a model the 
National Counterterrorism Center, which was set up in 2004. The NCTC is 
part of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, a setup 
that allows Congress to play a role, Collins said.

Despite her concerns, a second bill that would give the White House more 
control over security efforts was introduced in the Senate last week. 
The measure proposed by Sen. Thomas Carper (D-Del.) would establish a 
National Office for Cyberspace whose director would be appointed by and 
report to the president.

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