Opinion

DHS and Cybersecurity: Yes, No, Maybe So?

[FUD Watch with CSO Senior Editor Bill Brenner] A lot of smart people think the Department of Homeland Security is too inept to handle our online defenses. But moving cybersecurity elsewhere won't necessarily solve the larger problem

By Bill Brenner, Senior Editor

My security source, via Twitter, pointed out that despite DHS' shortcomings, the agency's cybersecurity people are doing some "super cool" stuff. She wasn't at liberty to explain what those cool things are.

Here's a current colleague on Facebook arguing for cybersecurity's move from DHS to someone else's turf: "DHS has not really knocked it out of the park when it comes to cybersecurity. The problem, IMHO, is that the political appointments at DHS go far too low in the organization, and cybersecurity was spread too thin. I like CSIS' guidance that it be moved to the Executive Branch and attached to the NSC. Frankly, after six years, it's just time to try something new."

I suggest something in the middle: Let DHS continue to handle cybersecurity but also create a stronger oversight entity from within the Executive Branch, similar to the creation of a director of national intelligence separate from CIA. True, the latter entity's record isn't great so far, but it's another example of changing the leadership rather than the responsibilities.

One could also argue that having two such layers in the government would be a lot like practicing defense-in-depth. Not a sure thing, but possible.

That's how I see it. It's time for the readers to weigh in.

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