Plans for White House to take over cybersecurity

ON the heels of Saturday’s story, Conservative Bloggers Now Labeled “Domestic Terrorists”? warning bloggers about the Missouri Information Analysis Center law enforcement report called “The Modern Militia Movement,” we now have yet another assault on internet liberty.

This one could have been easily predicted by anyone not addicted to Kool-Aid.

The following summary excerpt is from a March20 CNET article by Stephanie Condon:

Forthcoming legislation would wrest cybersecurity responsibilities from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and transfer them to the White House, a proposed move that likely will draw objections from industry groups and some conservatives.

CNET News has obtained a summary of a proposal from Senators Jay Rockefeller (D-W.V.) and Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) that would create an Office of the National Cybersecurity Advisor, part of the Executive Office of the President. That office would receive the power to disconnect, if it believes they're at risk of a cyberattack, "critical" computer networks from the Internet.

Giving the White House cybersecurity responsibility was one of the top recommendations of a commission that produced a report last year to advise President Obama on cybersecurity issues. However, the Homeland Security Department, which currently has jurisdiction over cybersecurity, has insisted the reshuffling of duties is not needed. . . .

By the way, “the commission” that produced the report last year for Barack Obama before he was president, is Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Summary excerpt continues:

. . .While the bill is still in draft form and thereby subject to change, it would put the White House National Cybersecurity Advisor in charge of coordinating cyber efforts within the intelligence community and within civilian agencies, as well as coordinating the public sector's cooperation with the private sector. The adviser would have the authority to disconnect from the Internet any federal infrastructure networks--or other networks deemed to be "critical"--if found to be at risk of a cyberattack.

The bill could also make the proposed cyber adviser responsible for conducting a quadrennial review of the country's cybersecurity program, as well as for working with the State Department to develop international standards for improving cybersecurity.

The draft version of the bill also establishes a clearinghouse for the public and private sectors to share information about cyberthreats and vulnerabilities. It also creates a Cybersecurity Advisory Panel consisting of outside experts from industry, academia, and nonprofit groups to advise the president. . . .

The bill may also subject both government and private sector networks to cybersecurity standards established by the National Institute of Standards and Technology. It may also provide for a professional licensing and certification program for cybersecurity professionals. . . .

Given the broad nature of the legislation--which spans intelligence and homeland security issues, as well as commerce issues--Rockefeller may have to work with the leaders of the Senate Homeland Security Committee and other leaders in the Senate to shape the final version.

An industry insider said, though, that Rockefeller's previous experience chairing the Select Committee on Intelligence will improve the bill's chances of advancing.

H/T to Logistics Monster which wrote:

Remember who this is….the great grandson of John D. Rockefeller who was behind the Federal Reserve being put in place.  His other relations?   David Rockefeller, Jr., member of the CFR, and David Rockefeller Sr., founder of the Trilateral Commission and former director of the CFR.  My readers know all the dirt on this family.

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