Former officials call on Senate to act promptly on cyber legislation
- By Defense Systems Staff
- Jun 08, 2012
Saying that the window of opportunity to pass critical legislation during this Congress is quickly disappearing, seven former Pentagon, Homeland Security and intelligence officials have written the Senate’s Democratic and Republican leaders urging them to bring cybersecurity legislation to the floor as soon as possible, reports
Government Computer News.
“We have spoken a number of times in recent months on the cyber threat — that it is imminent and that it represents one of the most serious challenges to our national security since the onset of the nuclear age 60 years ago,” they wrote. “It appears that this message has been received by many in Congress — and yet we still await conclusive legislative action.”
The June 6 letter, which was sent to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), was signed by:
- Michael Chertoff, former Homeland Security secretary
- Mike McConnell, former director of the National Security Agency and National Intelligence
- Paul Wolfowitz, former deputy defense secretary
- Gen. Michael Hayden, former director of the NSA and the CIA
- Gen. James Cartwright, former vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
- William Lynn III, former deputy defense secretary