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Cyber Command chief urges action on information-sharing legislation
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07/09/12 05:30 PM ET
The head of U.S. Cyber Command argued on Monday that cybersecurity legislation focused on improving information-sharing about cyber threats between the private and public sectors would not encourage the government to read through Americans’ personal emails.
Gen. Keith Alexander tackled claims made by privacy and civil liberties groups in recent months that information-sharing measures pending in Congress would widen the flow of people’s personal emails to the government. The four-star general argued that this legislation is needed to ensure critical infrastructure operators have the ability to share information about incoming cyber threats and attacks with the government “at network speed” and get the help needed to thwart potential damage.
“When we talk about information-sharing, we’re not talking about taking our personal emails and getting those to the government,” said Alexander, who also serves as the director of the National Security Agency (NSA).
While Alexander said it’s necessary to develop “rules of the road” for operating in cyberspace, he stopped short of describing what those standards would look like in legislation.
“That’s the part that I think we’re going to have to work our way through,” he said.
Alexander noted that cyber threats facing the United States are growing increasingly sophisticated, shifting from being simply “disruptive” to “destructive.” He voiced concern that al Qaeda could quickly develop capabilities to carry out a destructive cyberattack, but noted they haven’t acquired that skill yet.
“I don’t personally believe they’re a viable threat in that realm right now,” Alexander said. “I am concerned that while I don’t see it today, that they could quickly get to that.”
He also blasted claims that a new NSA center constructed in Utah was dedicated to intercepting and storing people’s emails, calls and other communications.
“That’s baloney,” Alexander said. “I think we need the American people to know that’s not true.”
Gen. Keith Alexander tackled claims made by privacy and civil liberties groups in recent months that information-sharing measures pending in Congress would widen the flow of people’s personal emails to the government. The four-star general argued that this legislation is needed to ensure critical infrastructure operators have the ability to share information about incoming cyber threats and attacks with the government “at network speed” and get the help needed to thwart potential damage.
“When we talk about information-sharing, we’re not talking about taking our personal emails and getting those to the government,” said Alexander, who also serves as the director of the National Security Agency (NSA).
The government is only interested in identifying a digital signature laced with bad source code and the network address from which it originated — not “what was in the email,” he said.
Alexander voiced for support for establishing a set of baseline security standards for critical infrastructure operators, an issue that’s currently dividing the Senate. GOP senators have taken issue with a measure in Sen. Joe Lieberman’s (I-Conn.) cybersecurity bill that would require companies operating critical infrastructure to meet a set of security standards.
“That’s the part that I think we’re going to have to work our way through,” he said.
Alexander noted that cyber threats facing the United States are growing increasingly sophisticated, shifting from being simply “disruptive” to “destructive.” He voiced concern that al Qaeda could quickly develop capabilities to carry out a destructive cyberattack, but noted they haven’t acquired that skill yet.
“I don’t personally believe they’re a viable threat in that realm right now,” Alexander said. “I am concerned that while I don’t see it today, that they could quickly get to that.”
He also blasted claims that a new NSA center constructed in Utah was dedicated to intercepting and storing people’s emails, calls and other communications.
“That’s baloney,” Alexander said. “I think we need the American people to know that’s not true.”
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