Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
Home : Graphics On : Privacy Policy    Sign up for Email: Search:
	Press Releases July 20, 2005   LIEBERMAN EXPECTS MORE FROM DHS CYBERSECURITY EFFORTS HOPES DHS REORGANIZATION WILL HASTEN IMPROVEMENT   WASHINGTON – Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Ranking Member Joe Lieberman, D-Conn., says recent cyber attacks underscore the need for the Department of Homeland Security to resolve internal management problems now preventing it from properly protecting the nation’s critical computer infrastructure. Lieberman made his comments following a Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, and International Security hearing entitled “Securing Cyberspace: Efforts to Protect National Information Infrastructures Continue to Face Challenges.” “Pranksters or serious saboteurs could cause irreparable harm to our way of life by hacking into sensitive computer systems,” Lieberman said, citing the recent theft of information pertaining to tens of millions of credit card holders and the March hacking of electric power industry control systems. “I don’t expect overnight success, but I do expect visible improvement in DHS’s ability to protect the cyber-structure that underpins our nation’s critical infrastructure.” Lieberman said he hoped DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff’s announced plan to establish a new assistant secretary for cyber security and telecommunications would hasten DHS’ improvement in this area. The Government Accountability Office testified Tuesday on the management problems afflicting DHS’ ability to secure the nation’s public and private cyber infrastructures essential to our national security, economic well being, and the health and safety of the American public. The Internet and other telecommunications networks, our power grid and water supply, our public health and law enforcement services, emergency response, and even national defense all depend on the security of their interconnected computer operations. “Over a year ago, I detailed a number of concerns regarding the lack of results similar to those identified by GAO, and I wish more progress had been made since then,” Lieberman said. The GAO testified that DHS has not fully addressed any of its 13 chief cybersecurity tasks, although it has initiated efforts on many fronts. For example, the department has issued an interim report on infrastructure protection that includes cybersecurity and has made efforts to open the lines of communication between information security officers and law enforcement officials. However, GAO said DHS has yet to develop a national threat assessment, a contingency plan in case of attack, and a plan to recover key internet functions, should they be disabled. Furthermore, the Department continues to have trouble establishing working partnerships with other local, state, and federal agencies and with the private sector. Among the systemic management problems that must be resolved before infrastructures can be adequately protected from cyber attack are organizational stability and authority, contracting and hiring problems, and effective partnerships and information sharing. Senator Lieberman’s March 2004 letter to Secretary Ridge is attached below.   ###   Printable Version   Related File(s) (pdf) Lieberman Letter To Ridge (141.5 KBs) « previous Press Release next Press Release »   1998 - 1999 - 2000 - 2001 - 2002 - 2003 - 2004 - 2005 - 2006 - 2007 July 2005 Press Releases June   |  August   --   2004   |  2006     July 27 - Senate Homeland Security Leaders Call For Increased Mass Transit Security Funding   July 27 - Mining Reclamation is Poorly Managed By BLM   July 22 - Senators Collins and Lieberman Criticize TSA For Violating Privacy Laws While Testing Passenger Prescreening System   July 22 - Senators Collins, Lieberman Launch Investigation Into Mass Transit Security In the U.S.   July 22 - Lieberman Disagrees With Decision On Air Traffic Specialists   July 21 - Lieberman Says BLM Disregards Its Obligation To Protect the Environment From Oil and Gas Drilling Damage   July 20 current Press Release   July 18 - NEW HAVEN TO GET MORE THAN $37 MILLION FOR TRANSIT SECURITY, DODD AND LIEBERMAN ANNOUNCE   July 13 - SENATORS COLLINS & LIEBERMAN QUESTION INDUSTRY AND OTHER EXPERTS ON PRIORITIES FOR FEDERAL LEGISLATION TO MAKE CHEMICAL FACILITIES MORE SECURE   July 12 - LIEBERMAN CALLS ON CONGRESS/ADMINISTRATION TO BETTER FUND A RANGE OF HOMELAND SECURITY NEEDS   July 12 - SENATE APPROVES COLLINS-LIEBERMAN FIRST RESPONDER GRANT FORMULA, DOUBLES RISK-BASED HOMELAND SECURITY FUNDING   July 11 - SENATORS COLLINS & LIEBERMAN OFFER FIRST RESPONDER GRANT LEGISLATION AS AMENDMENT TO HOMELAND SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS BILL   July 11 - DHS IS FAILING IN ITS CYBER-SECURITY RESPONSIBILITIES   July 10 - SENATORS COLLINS & LIEBERMAN RELEASE FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO IMPROVE SAFEGUARDS IN FEMA'S DISASTER RELIEF PROGRAM   July 8 - DODD, LIEBERMAN URGE DHS TO EXPEDITE DISTRIBUTION OF RAIL AND TRANSIT SECURITY FUNDS
About the Committee | Hearings | Legislation & Nominations | Press | Issues | Subcommittees | Committee Documents | Related Links
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs 340 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510