House cybersecurity hearing on Friday features Melissa Hathaway

The House Homeland Security Committee's Cybersecurity subpanel will hold a hearing this Friday on the administration's proposal to put the Department of Homeland Security in charge of protecting the nation's civilian networks.

The hearing will feature Melissa Hathaway, formerly the acting "cyber czar" under President Obama. Hathaway resigned in August 2009, citing personal reasons, after it became clear she wouldn't be the administration's choice for cybersecurity coordinator. Howard Schmidt was later named to the post.

The White House released detailed legislative guidance last month that would give the Department of Homeland Security the authority to ensure private-sector networks deemed crucial to national security meet government-approved security standards. The Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing on the proposal Tuesday.

At the time of the White House's announcement, subcommittee Chairman Dan Lungren (R-Calif.) expressed concern about a proposed third-party auditing regime, which he said could stifle innovation without improving security. However, House Republicans have indicated a willingness to cooperate on cyber-legislation.

“I look forward to working with the Administration and the Senate to strengthen our government’s cyber defenses," Lungren said in a statement announcing Friday's hearing.

"I will work to have our government partner with the private sector and encourage cyber innovation and technology to improve the cybersecurity of our Nation’s critical infrastructure.”

Hathaway helped conduct a cyber-review that influenced the administration's early cybersecurity proposals, though the recent legislation was coordinated by Schmidt and his deputy, Sameer Bhalotra, with input from the various agencies with roles in cybersecurity.

Also appearing at Friday's hearing will be Greg Shannon, chief scientist for the Computer Emergency Readiness Team at Carnegie Mellon University.

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