Crossroads Blog | Institute National Security and Counterterrorism

Cybersecurity, DHS, NSA, White House

Cyber Round Up: Challenges for Rob Joyce; Proposal gives DHS $1.5 billion for cyber; Congressman wants cyber version of National Guard

  • Challenges Ahead For New White House Cybersecurity Advisor (Forbes): Commentary earlier this week addressed some of the many challenges that will be facing recently appointed cyber security adviser Rob Joyce.  The article labeled the former NSA hacker as “the poster child for. . . distrust” that is so commonly associated with the NSA in the post-Snowden era.  Coupled with President Trump’s apparent disregard for privacy rights, the article suggests that having one of the nation’s lead hackers could pose a very scary situation.  The article also quoted those in the field who praised Joyce as a strong pick.  The full article can be found here.
  • Trump’s budget proposal gives DHS $1.5 billion for cybersecurity (The Hill):  The blueprint of President Trump’s budget includes a significant allocation to securing cyber space.  An article yesterday explained that $1.5 billion would be given to DHS to secure federal networks.  The article quoted the blueprint as stating that, “Through a suite of advanced cyber security tools and more assertive defense of government networks, DHS would share more cybersecurity incident information with other federal agencies and the private sector, leading to faster response to cybersecurity attacks directed at federal networks and critical infrastructure.”  The article also said that agencies would be scored on their cyber security practices and would be held accountable.  The full article can be read here.
  • Congressman proposes creating a National Guard for cybersecurity (Military Times):  A young Democrat from Arizona and a former U.S. Marine has suggested a type of cybersecurity reserve similar to the National Guard.   The article summarized Congressman Ruben Gallego’s talk at the South by Southwest conference, where he said that the best cyber minds won’t be drawn to the long hours and low salaries of typical government jobs.  Nor would they have any interest in physical training or boot camp.  Instead, the article says, “cybersecurity warriors” would be on call whenever the nation needed them. The full article and details of Gallego’s talk can be found here.

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